Astros 9, Diamondbacks 2
HOUSTON -- Catcher Hank Conger and shortstop Carlos Correa each hit two home runs while right-hander Dallas Keuchel set a club record for durability as the Houston Astros squared their interleague series with the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 9-2 victory on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.
Conger clubbed his seventh and eighth home runs while Correa hit Nos. 11 and 12 to account for the Astros’ four homers and eight of the nine RBIs.
Houston (59-46) hammered three homers off right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (7-7) in snapping the Diamondbacks’ six-game win streak.
Arizona (50-52) led 2-1 in the second inning after an RBI single by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a bases-loaded walk by center fielder Ender Inciarte. But Arizona fizzled quickly against Keuchel (13-5), who set a franchise record by working at least six innings for a 33rd consecutive start (snapping a tie with Brett Myers). Keuchel gave up two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out eight.
Conger's first home run -- a first-pitch, leadoff blast to right field in the third -- pulled Houston even at 2-2. It was the Astros' second homer of the game after a solo shot from Correa in the first.
A more decisive blast followed an inning later with Conger at the plate.
Hellickson retired the first batter in the fourth before coming undone. Four consecutive batters reached base ahead of Conger, including first baseman Chris Carter, whose bases-loaded walk pushed home Evan Gattis and nudged the Astros in front 3-2.
Four pitches into his second at-bat, Conger homered again, smashing his first career grand slam off the facing of the upper deck in right field. It was the Astros' first grand slam this season.
Hellickson allowed seven runs (six earned), seven hits and two walks, with two strikeouts, in 3 1/3 innings -- his shortest outing of 2015.
NOTES: RHP Mike Fiers will make his Astros debut on Tuesday night against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Acquired via trade from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Fiers will be activated on Sunday. ... Diamondbacks RHP Chase Anderson will make a rehab start of four innings, or 60 pitches, for the AZL D-backs on Sunday and could be activated from the 15-day disabled list soon after. Anderson, on the disabled list since July 19 because of right triceps inflammation, might replace rookie RHP Zack Godley, who will start against the Nationals on Monday. Godley has compiled 101 1/3 innings this season, nearly twice that of his previous professional high of 55 1/3 set last season. ... Diamondbacks OF A.J. Pollock sat out Saturday night because of soft tissue soreness behind his left knee and probably will miss the series finale against Houston on Sunday. Pollock experienced discomfort on Friday night and was lifted for a pinch runner following his single in the seventh inning.