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José; Houston Astros’ Altuve, top center, returns to first after colliding with Oakland Athletics first baseman Christian Bethancourt.
Cuban Yordan Álvarez fired a shot. Framber Valdez gave up only a couple of hit home runs. He had two hits in nine innings and the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 5-1 on Monday.
After the Astros only scored five runs in their previous four meetings , his offensive awoke at bat against Oakland starter Paul Blackburn (5-1).
Álvarez painted the slate for Houston with his 143-meter (469-foot) home run in the fourth inning against Blackburn. Then he shook his head. another 469 feet (135.3 meters) to almost the same spot in the eighth inning to A.J. Puk for his 14th homer of the season.
Venezuelan José Altuve also shook his head. He hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning and it was the 174th of his career. With the figure tied George Springer in the fifth place of the most home run players in Houston.
That offensive support was enough. for the victory of Valdez (5-2), who worked He struck out for just the seventh complete nine-inning game this season in the Major Leagues.
to seven, gave three bases by balls and made. 114 pitches in his longest performance so far in his five-year major league career. His other complete game was a six-inning performance in a doubleheader last season.
For the Athletics, Ramon Laureano 4-1, one RBI, and Christian Patch 2-0. The Venezuelan Elvis Andrus 3-0. Panamanian Christian Bethancourt 3-0.
For the Astros, Venezuelan José Altuve 2-for-4, one run scored, two RBIs. Cubans Yordan Álvarez 4-2, two runs scored, two RBIs, and Yuli Gurriel 3-0. Dominicans Jeremy Peña 4-0 and José; Siri 3-1, one scored. Puerto Rican Martín Maldonado 4-1, one run scored, one RBI.