Jason Castro hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Houston Astros a 3-0 victory and a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.
The win moves first-place Houston two games ahead of the Angels in the AL West.
It was 0-0 to start the bottom of the ninth inning. Jed Lowrie drew a walk off Jose Alvarez (2-2) with one out before a two-out single by Marwin Gonzalez. Castro then launched his two-out shot off Fernando Salas into the seats in right field to give Houston the win.
Photo: AFP
Luke Gregerson (4-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.
Scott Kazmir allowed three hits and struck out five in 7-2/3 scoreless innings in the first start for the Astros in his hometown and his second since a trade from the Oakland Athletics.
PADRES 8, METS 7
In New York, Justin Upton hit a three-run homer through a driving rain with two outs in the ninth inning as San Diego stunned New York, overcoming a six-run deficit during a game delayed nearly four hours by two storms.
With a darkening sky overhead, Jeurys Familia entered with a 7-5 lead and got two quick outs in the ninth before a torrential downpour stopped play. Frustrated, the Mets closer stood on the mound as the other players cleared the field.
When play resumed 44 minutes later, Derrick Norris fell behind 0-2 before singling for his career-high fifth hit. Matt Kemp singled as the rain began again and Upton, in what could be his final at-bat with the Padres, sent the first pitch soaring to right-center for San Diego’s first lead.
CARDINALS 9, ROCKIES 8
In St Louis, Missouri, Matt Carpenter hit a pair of home runs and Greg Garcia’s bases-loaded walk capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning as St Louis beat Colorado.
Carpenter went four for five with four RBIs after moving back to the leadoff spot. It was his first career multihomer game and he has a career-high 12 home runs this season.
Jhonny Peralta’s two-run single off Rockies closer John Axford tied the game at 8-all and Garcia’s walk scored Kolten Wong as the Cardinals recorded their seventh walk-off win of the season.
INDIANS 3, ATHLETICS 1
In Oakland, California, Carlos Carrasco threw a two-hitter and Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer as Cleveland beat Oakland.
Francisco Lindor had two hits for the Indians, who won their second straight following a six-game losing streak.
Josh Reddick doubled in a first-inning run for the A’s, who have lost six of their last seven.
Carrasco did not allow a hit after Reddick’s double. He walked one and struck out seven. He was coming off his worst start of the season, in which he allowed six runs in four innings.
In other results, it was:
‧ Rangers 7, Yankees 6
‧ Nationals 1, Marlins 0
‧ Blue Jays 5, Royals 2
‧ Red Sox 8, White Sox 2
‧ Cubs 5, Brewers 2
‧ Twins 9, Mariners 5
‧ Reds 15, Pirates 5
‧ Tigers 9, Orioles 8
‧ Phillies 4, Braves 1
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