Alvarez hits 2 3-run homers to back strong start by Valdez as Astros rout Arizona 8-0

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit two three-run homers and Framber Valdez pitched seven innings in the Houston Astros' 8-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

The AL West leaders got back on track after being swept in a three-game series at Cincinnati.

Houston led by a run when Alvarez, whose six RBIs are a season high, connected off Brandon Pfaadt (9-8) in the fifth inning to make it 4-0. Jose Altuve hit an RBI single in the sixth, and Alvarez homered again in his next at-bat, this time to the bullpen in right-center off Jordan Montgomery, to extend it to 8-0.

“It’s not that easy y'all,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “But this guy is so good he makes it look (easy).”

Alvarez had his seventh multi-homer game to tie Chris Carter (2014) for the most in a season in franchise history. It’s his second this week after also slugging two in a win over Kansas City at home Sunday after he hadn’t homered at Minute Maid Park since June 22.

“Alvarez is doing it at a high level and there’s no mystery,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “He’s a very powerful hitter. He’s a very smart hitter and we just made some mistakes. We went to certain spots too many times and we suffered the consequences.”

Valdez (14-6) allowed just two singles and struck out seven after pitching seven innings of no-hit ball in his last start.

Altuve and Mauricio Dubón had three hits each and Kyle Tucker walked and was hit by a pitch in his return after sitting out since fracturing his right shin on a foul ball June 3.

“I felt pretty normal,” said Tucker, who did not go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. “There are a few things, I've got to make a few adjustments just in terms of being live in a game. But I do a pretty good job at making adjustments pretty quick.”

Arizona All-Star Ketel Marte went 0 for 3 with a walk in his return from a sprained left ankle that had kept him out since Aug. 18.

Geraldo Perdomo singled to start the third for Arizona’s first hit and Christian Walker walked with one out in the fourth. Valdez then retired the next eight batters before walking Walker again to start the seventh.

Eugenio Suárez singled and Valdez retired Jake McCarthy before Kevin Newman grounded into a double play to end the inning and the night for the left-hander.

Jon Singleton hit a single to start Houston’s second but was thrown out at home on a double by Ben Gamel. Gamel was on third with two outs when Dubón singled to left field to send him home and put the Astros up 1-0.

Dubón and Altuve hit consecutive ground ball singles with not outs in the fifth before Alvarez smacked his 407-foot home run to the back of the second deck in right field to make it 4-0.

Alvarez stood at the plate and watched ball sail away before tossing his bat and trotting to first base.

Pfaadt walked Yainer Diaz before he struck out Tucker for the first out. Catcher Jose Herrera left the game after Tucker struck him on top of the helmet on his follow-through on the strikeout.

Herrera — getting more playing time with starter Gabriel Moreno sidelined by a groin injury — was helped off the field after a few minutes and replaced by Adrian Del Castillo.

Lovullo said that Herrera was OK and that he'd return to the lineup Saturday.

Pfaadt permitted eight hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Trainer’s room

Diamondbacks: OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (left calf tightness) has yet to resume baseball activities, Lovullo said Friday. He is expected to return by the middle of September.

Astros: 3B Alex Bregman was out of the lineup Friday after playing Thursday as he continues to deal with swelling in his right elbow.

Up next

Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7-9, 4.24 ERA) opposes LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-1, 5.33) when the series continues Saturday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press