September 14 – Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer and Yusei Kikuchi pitched seven solid innings to win the weekend for the Houston Astros, a five-game victory that came five nights later when they beat the Los Angeles Angels 5–3 in the opener of a three-game series in Anaheim.
Yordan Álvarez had two RBI and hit a home run in the ninth inning for the Astros (79–68), improving the Astros’ record for the month to 5 wins and 6 losses.
Three-time American League West champion Houston remained 4 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Mariners after Seattle beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Friday night.
The win was the 5,000th win in Astros history.
Jake Neto and Nolan Schnoor had RBI singles in the third inning. Mudd and Mickey Moniak scored in the fourth inning for the Angels (60-87), who had lost three in a row.
Kikuchi (9-9) allowed three runs on three hits, walked six and walked two. He has won each of his last three starts since being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on July 29 and is 5-0 with an ERA of 3.19 in eight starts for the Astros.
Kikuchi, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader combined to retire the final 16 Angels members. Hader struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 30th save.
The Astros scored twice in the second and third innings against Angels rookie Samuel Aldegari (1-2). Victor Caratini and Jake Meyers singled in the second inning and Mauricio Dupont walked to load the bases. Jose Altuve doubled again and then Alvarez delivered a sacrifice fly.
Aldeghi had no outs in the third inning and Kyle Tucker singled before Bregman singled. Jeremy Pena hit a double and Caratini followed the rookie with a five-pitch walk.
Aldegary, making his third career start, allowed four runs on six hits, walked five and struck out none.
Bregman, Pena, Caratini, DuPont and Yanna Diaz had two hits each for Houston.
Sanur had two hits for the Angels, including an RBI single in the third.
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