Astros overtake Angels in ninth to win series

Alex Bregman had four hits, including a go-ahead, two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, to help the visiting Houston Astros to a 9-8 win against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in the rubber game of a three-game series.

Kyle Tucker also had four hits, including a home run, Chas McCormick homered twice and Jake Meyers went deep for the Astros, who were 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

Rafael Montero (2-3) earned the win in relief. Houston's Phil Maton, pitching for the third straight game, gave up the 34th homer of the season to Shohei Ohtani in the ninth before earning the second save of his career on a game-ending, diving catch by Tucker in right with runners on first and second.

Trey Cabbage had his first three hits and two RBIs in his initial major league start for the Angels. Mike Moustakas homered for the second consecutive game and Taylor Ward contributed a three-run double for the Angels, who have lost seven of eight.

Los Angeles' Jaime Barria (2-5) was trying for his first career save in his 120th appearance, but instead he suffered his fifth blown save. In the ninth, he gave up a run on a groundout and then surrendered Bregman's two-run shot that gave the Astros an 8-7 lead.

Tucker followed with a solo shot to make it 9-7.

Cabbage delivered an opposite-field, two-run double down the third base line in the fourth inning to give Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.

McCormick homered to lead off in the seventh, and Meyers went deep one out later to tie the score 3-3.

Andrew Velazquez pinch-ran after Cabbage collected his third hit in the bottom of the seventh. A two-out, hit-and-run double by Zach Neto knocked in Velazquez to give the Angels a 4-3 lead.

After an intentional walk and hit batter, Ward delivered a three-run double into the right-center-field gap to stretch the lead to 7-3.

Tucker robbed Moustakas of a two-run homer to end the seventh.

McCormick followed with a two-run homer in the eighth to cut the deficit to 7-5.

Astros starter Cristian Javier allowed three runs and four hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

Angels starter Tyler Anderson departed after three innings because of cramping. He allowed one run and five hits while striking out five and walking two.