Musgrove, 3 solo shots lead Astros past Angels 4-1
HOUSTON (AP) Joe Musgrove pitched seven strong innings, Evan Gattis, Tony Kemp and Tyler White homered, and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 Sunday to snap a three-game slide and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Houston began the day three games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot.
Musgrove (4-4, 4.06 ERA) allowed one run on seven hits while striking out four.
Carlos Correa put the Astros on the board in the first inning with a two-out single down the left-field line that scored Jose Altuve.
An inning later, Gattis homered off a fastball by Daniel Wright, connecting for the 31st time this season.
Kemp and White added solo shots in the fifth and seventh innings.
Closer Ken Giles rebounded from a blown save in Friday's 10-6 loss to Los Angeles. He walked one and struck out two in the ninth for his 14th save.
Daniel Wright (0-5, 6.95) lasted six innings for the Angels. He gave up three runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking two.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: Before the game, manager A.J. Hinch said he was worried about Giles' flexibility and ability to throw, a day after he injured his right wrist when he was hit by a line drive during batting practice. X-rays were negative.
UP NEXT
Angels: Jered Weaver (12-12, 5.20 ERA) will attempt to close out September on a winning note when Los Angeles hosts Oakland and left-hander Sean Manaea (6-9, 4.03) on Monday. Weaver is 2-1 in four starts this month.
Astros: Collin McHugh (12-10, 4.61) faces fellow right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma (16-12, 4.04) to open a three-game series against Seattle. McHugh is 4-0 against the Mariners this season and 9-3 for his career.