Martin Maldonado homered twice as Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Chas McCormick each hit one for a big early lead as the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-1 on Friday night.
After winning the series opener 8-1, the Astros pulled off another blowout victory to extend their streak to five wins.
Houston pitcher Jose Urquidy (7-3) gave up two hits and one run while striking out eight in six innings to extend the starters’ record to 7-0 in the last nine games.
The game was the fifth straight in which the Astros didn’t allow more than one run to be scored against them.
The Astros took a 3-0 lead when Maldonado, who had only one hit in his previous four games, homered off Patrick Sandoval (3-3) early in the second inning.
For the Astros, the Venezuelan José Altuve 4-3, three runs scored, one RBI. The Dominican Jeremy Peña 5-1. Cubans Jordan Álvarez 4-0 and Juli Gurriel 3-0. Puerto Rican Martín Maldonado 3-2, two runs scored, two RBIs.
For the Angels, the Venezuelan Luis Rengifo 4-1.
