Strong start helps Astros snap losing streak vs. Orioles

Christian Walker and Yainer Diaz smacked two-run home runs as the Houston Astros ambushed a pitcher who had baffled them less than a week earlier, defeating the host Baltimore Orioles 7-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

Jesus Sanchez went 5-for-5 with four singles and a double, and Carlos Correa drove in two runs for the Astros, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

The Astros dinged Baltimore starter Brandon Young, who gained his first big-league victory last Friday in Houston, for seven runs in the first three innings.

Houston starter Jason Alexander (4-1) notched the victory by working 5 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

Baltimore outfielder Dylan Beavers, who made his major-league debut last Saturday, drilled his first home run in the second inning and added another RBI in the sixth.

Young (1-7) blanked the Astros on one hit for eight innings in the previous matchup. In the rematch, he allowed nine hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Walker, who also doubled, Correa and Victor Caratini all had two hits for Houston, which had scored a total of two runs in its last four games combined.

The Orioles lost for the second time in their last eight games to begin the homestand.

Walker's homer came in the first inning, while Correa rapped a two-run single in the second. The Astros picked up three runs in the third, with Diaz's 18th homer run of the season the highlight.

Beavers, batting eighth in the order and also drawing a walk, homered off Alexander. His fielder's choice grounder added the other run in the sixth.

The Orioles' only hit off three Houston relievers came on Jeremiah Jackson's infield single in the ninth inning.

Every Baltimore batter had one hit, but no player on the team had more than one. Beavers produced the lone extra-base hit.

-Field Level Media