The Houston Astros delivered their highest-scoring performance of the season on Friday night, defeating the Los Angeles Angels 14-3 at Minute Maid Park. Catcher Yainer Díaz played a pivotal role with his first career grand slam during a six-run fifth inning that broke the game open.
The Angels entered the bottom of the fifth holding a 2-1 lead, but the Astros quickly turned the tide. With two outs and runners on base, Yordan Alvarez tied the score on an RBI single that narrowly escaped the glove of Angels shortstop Tim Anderson. Christian Walker followed with a go-ahead single to put Houston up 3-2.
Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz, who had held the Astros in check early on, loaded the bases and exited after issuing a walk to Jeremy Peña. Garrett McDaniels entered in relief and, three pitches into his outing, Díaz launched a grand slam into the left-center field concourse. The 7-2 advantage marked the Astros’ first grand slam since September 6, 2023.
Díaz, who entered the game with one RBI on the season, finished with three hits and a career-high five runs batted in. He later added an RBI double as part of a four-run sixth inning that extended Houston’s lead to double digits.
Rookie Cam Smith also contributed to the offensive surge, collecting his first major league home run in the eighth inning. He had previously doubled in the sixth, helping the Astros build a 13-3 margin.
Los Angeles briefly held a lead following a solo home run by Mike Trout in the fourth inning. The blast, his sixth of the season, tied his personal best through the first 13 games and pushed the Angels’ home run total to 19 over the last six games. That total set a new franchise record for homers in a six-game span, surpassing the 18 hit in 2003.
Houston took an early 1-0 lead in the second when Jeremy Peña scored on a sacrifice fly from Jake Meyers. The Angels responded in the fifth when Kyren Paris doubled and came home on Jo Adell’s single. That gave Los Angeles a brief 2-1 edge before Houston’s offense ignited.
Astros starter Ronel Blanco earned the win, improving to 1-1 after allowing four hits and two runs over five innings. Kochanowicz took the loss for Los Angeles, falling to 1-1 after being charged with five runs in four and two-thirds innings.
The Astros compiled nine 14 runs with two outs, highlighting their ability to extend innings and capitalize on pressure situations. Their offensive production included a combined 13 hits and multiple extra-base contributions.
As the series continues Saturday, Houston will send right-hander Ryan Gusto (1-0, 1.13 ERA) to the mound. He is scheduled to face Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson (0-0, 4.50 ERA). According to pregame betting odds, the Astros opened as moderate favorites, listed at -140 on the moneyline, with the Angels at +120. The over/under for total runs was set at 9.5.
