Yordan Alvarez goes deep as Astros hit 5 homers in 13-2 rout of A’s to close in on AL West title

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Yordan Alvarez delivered a three-run homer and the Houston Astros hit five additional home runs in an emphatic 13-2 triumph over the Athletics on Saturday night. The victory propelled the Astros closer to securing the AL West division title and the No. 3 seed in the American League playoffs. Houston (80-81) requires a win on Sunday against the Athletics in their regular-season finale, or for the Texas Rangers to lose to Minnesota, to clinch the division.

Alvarez's 42nd homer of the season tied him with Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero for second place in the American League. Houston's offense was led by Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes, and Jose Altuve, who combined for nine hits and seven RBIs. Peña's two two-run homers, one in the third and another in the eighth, significantly contributed to the victory.

Parades opened the scoring and finished 3 for 5. Hayden Wesneski (6-2) pitched seven innings for the Athletics, striking out five while allowing six hits and two runs. Jack Perkins (3-13) pitched five innings and gave up six runs, three of which came on three homers.