Astros 6,Diamondbacks 2
PHOENIX -- Colby Rasmus homered twice and Collin McHugh threw seven strong innings to help lead the Houston Astros past the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 Saturday night to keep the Astros' division title hopes alive.
Jose Altuve doubled, homered and scored twice for the Astros, who remain one game behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West with only Sunday's games remaining. Houston also stayed a game ahead of the Los Angeles Angels for the AL's second wild-card spot.
McHugh (19-7) was dominant, holding the Diamondbacks to one run on six hits over seven innings. McHugh struck out five and issued one intentional walk en route to his sixth win in his past seven starts.
Paul Goldschmidt homered and Jeremy Hellickson (9-12) suffered his fourth straight loss for the Diamondbacks.
McHugh moved into second place in the AL for wins behind teammate and 20-game winner Dallas Keuchel.
The Astros wasted no time against Hellickson. Jose Altuve doubled to left to lead off the game, went to third on a single by George Springer and came home on Carlos Correa's sacrifice fly for a 1-0 Houston lead.
The Diamondbacks pulled within 3-1 in the sixth on an RBI single by Wellington Castillo but the Astros added a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth, including Rasmus' second home run of the game, a solo shot to start the inning.
Goldschmidt hit his 32nd home run with two outs in the eighth off right-hander Will Harris.
Hellickson went five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits over five innings. Hellickson, who lasted fewer than six innings for the third time in four starts, struck out three.
NOTES: Astros right-hander Collin McHugh entered the game with a 25-7 record in his past 41 starts. ... The Astros entered the game with a 15-3 record in interleague play, the best in the majors and one short of the record 16 wins accomplished most recently by Boston and Minnesota in 2006. ... Diamondbacks infielder Phil Gosselin celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday. ... Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis was on the bench for the second straight game in a National League park. The one-time catcher/outfielder for Atlanta leads the Astros with 27 homers and 87 RBIs, but has started only 11 games in the field this season. ... Arizona right-hander Jeremy Hellickson entered Saturday's game with a 1-8 career record in 13 interleague starts. Hellickson's lone win came July 3, 2011 against St. Louis. ... Astros 2B Jose Altuve led off the game with a double, his 21st extra-base hit in his past 25 games. ... Diamondbacks right fielder Socrates Brito doubled leading off the first, giving him 10 extra-base hits -- five doubles, three triples and two homers -- in his past 17 games.