Astros 10, Angels 5
HOUSTON -- Second baseman Jose Altuve recorded a career-high five RBIs as the Houston Astros erased a three-run deficit en route to a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park.
Altuve posted run-scoring hits in three consecutive at-bats and finished 3-for-5 with a double and a run. He hit a game-tying single in the second inning, a go-ahead single in the fourth and a two-run double in the sixth inning that provided the Astros (56-45) some needed insurance.
Catcher Hank Conger went 2-for-3 and scored three runs, and shortstop Carlos Correa reached base four times, including his ninth home run, as Houston pulled even with the Angels (55-44) atop the American League West. The Astros extended their home winning streak to five consecutive games.
Angels third baseman Conor Gillaspie notched RBIs in each of his first two plate appearances, and catcher Chris Iannetta added a home run in the third that provided Los Angeles its last lead at 5-4. However, left-hander C.J. Wilson (8-8) failed to preserve the cushion, surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks over four-plus innings. Wilson also hit two batters.
Four Houston relievers combined to limit the Angels to two hits over four scoreless innings in support of right-hander Collin McHugh (12-5).
What seemed like a promising start for Wilson deteriorated quickly. Los Angeles gave him a 4-1 lead with a pair of two-run frames right out of the gate. The Angels got an RBI double from Gillaspie and a fielder's choice grounder from shortstop Erick Aybar to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning, and they added a pair of RBI singles from Gillaspie and designated hitter Albert Pujols in the second.
That was a response to a solo homer hit by Correa in the bottom of the first.
Wilson could not stand the prosperity. He hit a pair of batters in the second inning around a two-run, opposite-field homer by Astros designated hitter Chris Carter, his 17th. With two outs in that frame, Wilson surrendered the lead when Altuve delivered a run-scoring single.
The Angels again responded immediately, with Iannetta reclaiming the lead at 5-4 with a solo homer in the third. An inning later, the Astros surged ahead with Altuve once again victimizing Wilson.
With two outs in the fourth, Altuve singled to center, driving home Conger. Altuve then rounded first so aggressively that he drew the attention of the Angels defense, enabling center fielder Jake Marisnick to score all the way from second base for a stunning 6-5 lead.
McHugh, meanwhile, rebounded to post two scoreless innings before his night was done, having allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts over five innings.
NOTES: Angels CF Mike Trout sat out for just the second time this season with a sore left wrist. Trout had three hits after sustaining the injury in the fourth inning Sunday. He was scheduled for a precautionary MRI on Tuesday evening. Trout is batting .361/.459/.833 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs in 19 games this month. ... Astros SS Jed Lowrie will return to Houston on Wednesday after making his fifth rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi. The club is nearing a decision regarding reinstating Lowrie, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 28 after surgery on his right thumb. ... To make room for OF Shane Victorino, acquired Sunday from the Boston Red Sox, the Angels placed OF Matt Joyce on the seven-day concussion disabled list. The Angels also optioned 3B Kyle Kubitza to Triple-A Salt Lake and recalled INF/OF Efren Navarro.