Altuve, Tucker lead Astros past D’backs to get back to .500

Published 9:06 pm Saturday, September 19, 2020

By The Associated Press

Houston Astros' Aledmys Diaz, left, congratulates Jose Altuve, right, after he scores the go-ahead run on the single by Kyle Tucker during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve drove in two, Kyle Tucker had a tiebreaking single and the Houston Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Saturday night to get back to .500.

Altuve tied it at 2 in the sixth with an RBI double, and Tucker put Houston ahead with his single three batters later, chasing starter Luke Weaver (1-8).



Altuve also had a run-scoring groundout in the third. The three-time AL batting champion is hitting just .219 this season.

Houston improved to 26-26 and remained in second place in the AL West.

Kole Calhoun hit his sixth homer in five games, leading off the second inning with a solo shot to right. Calhoun has 15 homers this season.

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Josh Rojas increased the lead to 2-0 in the third on a sacrifice fly.

Weaver allowed three runs and five hits with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in losing his fifth straight decision.

Cristian Javier allowed two runs and four hits with six strikeouts in four innings.

Enoli Paredes (3-2) threw two scoreless innings for the win. Josh James threw a scoreless seventh.

Houston left fielder Michael Brantley ended the seventh by catching a lineout from Jon Jay and doubling Pavin Smith off second with a great throw.

Brooks Raley pitched the eighth, and Ryan Pressly finished the ninth for his 11th save.

ARIZONA FINISHES MARTE TRADE

The Diamondbacks acquired LHP Julio Frias from Miami as the play-to-be-named to complete the Aug. 31 trade that sent OF Starling Marte to the Marlins.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: LHP Madison Bumgarner (0-4, 8.53) starts Sunday, looking to rebound after allowing eight runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last start against the Angels on Tuesday.

Astros: RHP Jose Urquidy (1-1, 2.70) will make his fourth start of the season Sunday after allowing one run in seven innings in a win over the Rangers on Tuesday.

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