Framber Valdez throws complete game as Astros top Angels

Yordan Alvarez's three-run double highlighted a five-run seventh inning, lifting the Houston Astros to a 7-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels Friday night in Anaheim, Calif.

Astros starter Framber Valdez handled the rest, throwing his first complete game of the season and seventh of his career. He allowed one run on four hits and one walk, striking out eight and making 106 pitches.

Valdez (5-3) and Angels starter Griffin Canning (2-6) were locked in a 1-1 game through six innings before the Astros put together a rally in the seventh.

After a couple of one-out singles, Canning was removed in favor of Hunter Strickland, who has been the Angels' best reliever this season, holding a 1.73 ERA going into the game.

Strickland, though, walked Alex Bregman to load the bases for Alvarez, who hit a slicing liner to left-center field. Center fielder Kevin Pillar made a diving attempt but was unable to make the play as all three runners scored.

One out later, Yainer Diaz homered for the fourth consecutive game, hitting a two-run shot. Jose Abreu made it 7-1 with a solo homer in the eighth.

The Astros got to Canning in the first inning after the Angels' right-hander retired the first two batters of the inning. Consecutive singles by Alvarez, Jeremy Pena and Diaz plated the first run of the game.

Canning, however, settled in and got through the sixth inning without allowing another run. But in the seventh, two of the five Houston runs were charged to Canning, who gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Valdez allowed only a solo homer to Pillar in the second inning.

Diaz led the Astros' offense with three hits and three RBIs, while Alvarez had two hits and three RBIs, and Bregman added two hits.

--Field Level Media