Yusei Kikuchi, Yordan Alvarez lead Astros past Angels 5-3 for Houston's 5,000th victory

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi pitched seven innings of three-hit ball in another sharp start, and Yordan Alvarez homered and drove in two runs in the Houston Astros ' 5,000th victory, 5-3 over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.

Kikuchi (9-9) overcame early trouble and struck out six Angels while keeping the Astros unbeaten in all of his starts since joining Houston in a trade with Toronto. Houston gave up three prospects for Kikuchi, who is grateful to general manager Dana Brown for believing in him.

“I heard a lot of what fans had to say” about the trade, Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “But I think our GM made an awesome decision. I just wanted to prove to everybody what I'm capable of. ... I wasn't pitching that well in Toronto just before the deadline, so I was shocked a little bit. But once I got here, I was able to put the past behind me.”

Kikuchi is 5-0 in an Astros uniform, and Houston is 8-0 when he takes the mound. He's a big reason the Astros are rolling toward yet another AL West title after struggling early in the season. Kikuchi and two relievers combined to hold Los Angeles to three hits.

“He's been really good,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We knew that it was in there. I'm just glad that he's been receptive and been able to be open about the adjustments we wanted him to make, and pitch usage and stuff like that. But the arm has always been there. It just feels like he's been here for many, many years. I hope he just keeps going.”

Alex Bregman hit an early two-run homer and Alvarez added his 33rd in the ninth inning for the first-place Astros, who opened a six-game Southern California trip with their second straight win after a three-game skid.

Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 30th save as the Astros became the 18th big league club to reach 5,000 victories.

Mickey Moniak homered for the Angels, who have lost five of six.

Rookie Samuel Aldegheri (1-2) couldn’t get out of the third inning in his third major league start for the Angels, yielding four runs on six hits and five walks while recording only six outs.

“Just couldn't find his command,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Couldn't hit his spots. Couldn't throw any pitch with consistency. That's not him.”

Houston scored twice in the second with two singles followed by two walks and Alvarez's sacrifice fly.

The Astros then got three hits on Aldegheri's first three pitches in the third inning. After Kyle Tucker singled, Bregman hit his 23rd homer and Jeremy Peña doubled.

Kikuchi issued back-to-back walks to begin the third, and Los Angeles scored on Zach Neto's groundout and Nolan Schanuel's single.

Moniak's solo shot to right in the fourth was just his second career homer against a left-hander. It was also the former No. 1 overall pick's 14th homer of the season, matching his career high.

Alvarez's homer was a line drive that went in and out of Moniak's glove when the center fielder leaped at the wall to attempt what would have been a spectacular catch. The homer was Alvarez's fifth in September.

Hader recorded 30 saves for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in his career.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: INF Jose Altuve returned from a one-game absence with discomfort in his right side. He drove the first pitch of the game into left field, but was easily thrown out at second while trying to stretch it into a double.

Angels: 2B Brandon Drury sat out after leaving Wednesday's game in the fifth inning with hamstring tightness. ... RHP Ben Joyce is still awaiting the results of his MRI exam Thursday. The 105-mph hurler hasn't pitched since Sept. 6 after reporting shoulder discomfort.

UP NEXT

Justin Verlander (3-6, 5.30 ERA) takes the mound for Houston after struggling in his past two starts in September. Los Angeles sends out All-Star Tyler Anderson (10-12, 3.50 ERA), who beat the Astros earlier this year for his only victory in nine career starts against them.

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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Samuel Aldegheri throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Kyle Tucker also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón (14) bunt pops out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Angels' Mickey Moniak celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Angels' Jack López (10) scores as a throw gets past Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini, left, during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

MIAMI (AP) — Jesús Sánchez doubled twice and drove in three runs, and the Miami Marlins beat Shohei Ohtani and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 on Tuesday night.

Ohtani struck out three times but hit his 48th home run as he tries to become the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season. He did not steal a base for the fifth straight game and remains at 48.

Sánchez went 5 for 5, while Otto Lopez and Jake Burger homered for the Marlins.

Connor Norby became the first Marlin with four runs scored in a single game this season. He went 2 for 3 with a single, double and two walks. Kyle Stowers had an RBI triple in the fourth and added a run-scoring double in the sixth for the Marlins, who had 15 hits.

Max Muncy singled in a run, doubled and stole a base for the Dodgers, who began the day 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place San Diego, which was set to play Houston later Tuesday.

Reliever Anthony Veneziano picked up his first major league win after striking out two and allowing one hit over 1 1/3 inning.

The Marlins scored four runs in the first two innings off starter Bobby Miller, who was lifted after allowing seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts. The Dodgers responded with a four-run third jumpstarted by Ohtani's two-run shot against starter Darren McCaughan that he crushed 402 feet to right.

Michael Grove (4-4) took the loss after relieving Miller in the third and giving up a go-ahead RBI double to Sánchez in the fourth that made it 6-5. Sánchez then scored on Stowers' triple, and the Marlins didn't relinquish their lead from there.

McCaughan pitched 3 2/3 innings, surrendering six hits, five runs and striking out four. Miguel Rojas also homered off McCaughan in the fourth that tied it at five.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said RHP Tony Gonsolin will make another rehab start soon and could rejoin the team if that goes well. Gonsolin hasn't pitched since having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August.

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara threw his first live batting practice since having Tommy John surgery in October. ... LHP Braxton Garrett allowed three hits in five innings and 80 pitches in a start for Triple-A Jacksonville.

UP NEXT

Dodgers RHP Landon Knack (2-4, 3.70 ERA) will start the second game of the series. The Marlins have not named a starter yet, but manager Skip Schumaker said Ryan Weathers (3-5, 3.55) will likely be on the mound.

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) scores on a sacrifice hit by Freddie Freeman during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) a triple to center field during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Kyle Stowers hits a triple to right field during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Miguel Rojas (11) celebrates after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller aims a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez gestures after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Jesús Sánchez (12) hits a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)