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Astros defeat Orioles with consecutive home runs by Bregman and Diaz
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    Astros defeat Orioles with consecutive home runs by Bregman and Diaz

    BALTIMORE — Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz hit solo homers on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, lifting the Houston Astros to a 6-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday night and a split of the four-game series.

    Ramón Urías hit a three-run shot for the Orioles to tie the game in the fifth, but Bregman and Diaz went deep in the seventh off Burch Smith (2-1) to give Houston a 5-3 edge.

    “The swing felt the best it’s felt since coming back,” said Bregman, who has dealt with elbow issues recently. “Obviously missing some time, you kind of lose a little bit of the rhythm that you had.”

    Héctor Neris (1-0) got four outs in his first appearance since coming back to the Astros this week. The right-hander, who was with the Astros in 2022 and 2023, returned after being released by the Chicago Cubs.

    “Just like he was back at home,” manager Joe Espada said. “Big outs.”

    Bryan Abreu pitched the eighth, and Josh Hader finished for his 28th consecutive save since blowing his first opportunity this season.

    Houston remained 4 1/2 games ahead of Seattle atop the AL West, and Baltimore fell 1 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East.

    Astros outfielder Mauricio Dubón was shaken up after crashing into the left field wall following a spectacular running catch. Dubón went on a lengthy sprint deep into the corner before making a backhanded grab in fair territory on a fly ball hit by Urías but couldn’t stop himself before slamming into the wall.

    Dubón remained down for a while but was able to walk off the field. That was the last out of the seventh, and Houston pinch-hit for him in the eighth. Jake Meyers, the replacement batter, came through with a sacrifice fly to put the Astros up by three.

    Yusei Kikuchi held the Orioles hitless until the fifth inning, when Eloy Jiménez led off with a single. A one-out walk set the stage for Urías, who hit a drive into the Baltimore bullpen. The homer tied the game at 3 and gave reliever Cionel Pérez a chance to show off his trick — catching home runs in his hat — for a national television audience.

    But the Orioles managed just those two hits in the game. This was the fourth time in their last eight games they were held to three hits or fewer.

    Houston took a 3-0 lead in the fourth thanks to five straight two-out hits. Jeremy Peña, who was running with the pitch, was able to score all the way from first on Victor Caratini’s single to left-center. Zach Dezenzo added a two-run double.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Astros: Slugger Yordan Alvarez (neck) missed a third straight game.

    Orioles: 1B Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) and OF Cedric Mullins (quad) did not play.

    UP NEXT

    Astros: Houston heads to Philadelphia, where Justin Verlander (3-3) starts for the Astros on Monday night against Zack Wheeler (12-6).

    Orioles: Baltimore has Monday off before a series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. The Orioles send Cole Irvin (6-5) to the mound Tuesday night against Jack Flaherty (10-5).

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    In a thrilling game against the Baltimore Orioles, the Houston Astros came out on top with a stunning display of power hitting. The Astros secured a 7-5 victory over the Orioles thanks to back-to-back home runs by Alex Bregman and Aledmys Diaz in the seventh inning.

    The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout the early innings. But it was the Astros who ultimately prevailed, thanks to the heroics of Bregman and Diaz.

    Bregman, who has been a standout player for the Astros all season, stepped up to the plate in the seventh inning with one out and a runner on base. He wasted no time in delivering a crushing blow to Orioles pitcher John Means, launching a towering home run deep into the left-field stands.

    Not to be outdone, Diaz followed Bregman’s lead by stepping up to the plate and crushing a home run of his own on the very next pitch. The consecutive home runs gave the Astros a commanding lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.

    The Astros’ power hitting was on full display throughout the game, with Yordan Alvarez also contributing a home run earlier in the contest. The team’s ability to hit for power has been a key factor in their success this season, and it was on full display in their victory over the Orioles.

    The win was a crucial one for the Astros, as they continue to battle for playoff positioning in a competitive American League. With their potent lineup and strong pitching staff, the Astros are poised to make a deep run in the postseason and potentially compete for another World Series title.

    Overall, the Astros’ victory over the Orioles was a testament to their offensive firepower and ability to come through in clutch situations. With players like Bregman and Diaz leading the way, the Astros are a team to be reckoned with as they look to make a push for the playoffs.