1 week Ago
HOUSTON — Yainer Díaz hit his first career grand slam in a six-run fifth inning and the Houston Astros routed the Angels 14-3 Friday night. Díaz, who entered the game with just one RBI this season, had three hits and drove in a career-high five runs in the victory. The Astros trailed by one with two outs and two on in the fifth when they tied it on an RBI single by Yordan Alvarez that rolled just out of reach of a diving Tim Anderson.
Christian Walker followed with an RBI single to put the Astros up 3-2. Jack Kochanowicz (1-1) walked Jeremy Peña to load the bases and was lifted for Garrett McDaniels. Díaz sent his third pitch into the concourse in left center field for his first homer this season to make it 7-2.
It was Houston’s first grand slam since Jose Abreu’s in a 12-3 win over Texas on Sept. 6, 2023. Díaz added an RBI double as the Astros tacked on four more runs in the sixth inning.
Rookie Cam Smith doubled in the sixth and his first career home run made it 13-3 in the eighth. Mike Trout hit a solo homer in the fourth inning for the Angels to give him six this season, which is tied with last season for his most home runs through the first 13 games. It was the team’s 19th home run combined in the last six games, which is a franchise record for a six-game span — topping the 18 they hit in six games in the 2003 season.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the second when Peña scored on a sacrifice fly by Jake Meyers. The Angels tied it on Trout’s home run off the wall above the seats in left field to open the fourth inning. Kyren Paris opened the fifth with a double and scored on a single by Jo Adell to put the Angels up 2-1 before Houston took the lead with its outburst in the bottom of the inning.
Houston starter Ronel Blanco (1-1) allowed four hits and two runs in five innings for the win. Nine of Houston’s runs came with two outs. The Astros had 16 hits.
Up next: Houston RHP Ryan Gusto (1-0, 1.13 ERA) opposes LHP Tyler Anderson (0-0, 4.50) when the series continues Saturday night.
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