HOUSTON -- The Astros snapped their three-game losing streak by getting a solo homer from catcher Christian Vázquez in the third inning and RBIs by Jose Altuve and Cam Smith in the fourth to beat the Angels, 3-2, on Wednesday night at Daikin Park.
The Astros (64-63) moved two games ahead of the second-place Rangers in the American League West, with Houston holding the tiebreaker.
Astros starter Ethan Pecko, the team’s’ No. 9-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, threw 3 2/3 innings in his Major League debut, allowing two runs, three hits and three walks while striking out four batters. He struck out Vaughn Grissom in the second for his first career strikeout en route to a no-decision.
Angels starter Walbert Ureña, who had allowed one or no runs in all but one of his outings since the start of July, gave up three runs and three hits in five innings, striking out seven batters.
Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña left the game after two innings with a right hand contusion, the result of being hit by a 100 mph sinker thrown by Ureña. Houston manager Joe Espada was ejected two innings later after Angels outfielder Mike Trout was hit in the hand by a pitch on a swing and awarded first base on a hit by pitch.