Astros power past Athletics, leave AL West title within reach
Houston’s 13-2 win featured five home runs. The Astros can clinch the division and the American League’s third playoff seed with a win Sunday or a Texas Rangers loss.
The Houston Astros moved closer to the American League West title with a 13-2 victory over the Athletics on Saturday. Houston hit five home runs and recorded 16 hits.
Yordan Alvarez put the Astros ahead 6-1 with a three-run homer in the fifth inning. It was his 42nd of the season, tying him with Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero for second in the American League.
Jeremy Peña hit two two-run home runs and finished with four RBIs. Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve also contributed to Houston’s offence as the trio combined for nine hits and seven RBIs.
Hayden Wesneski pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out five. Houston added six runs between the seventh and ninth innings to extend its lead.
The Astros can clinch the division and the American League’s No. 3 playoff seed with a win in Sunday’s finale or a Texas Rangers loss to Minnesota. The Associated Press report carried by Yahoo Sports said neither team had announced a starting pitcher for the game.
