Verlander wins 11th straight decision

HOUSTON — Justin Verlander, Jose Altuve and the Astros did enough Wednesday to deny the Angels a three-game sweep.

Verlander pitched seven sharp innings, Altuve hit his first home run of the season and the Astros won 5-2, ending the Angels’ road winning streak at a team-recordtying 11.

“We are tough to sweep because of our pitching matchups and our rotation,” Verlander said. “The old adage, ‘You’re only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher’ — I think we like our chances every day.

“You can’t expect to win every series, especially against a team like that because they’re very talented.”

Albert Pujols connected off Verlander for his 619th career home run. Pujols now has 2,994 hits.

Verlander said he was “letting it fly” and “got a little erratic” in the seventh, when he allowed two runs. But he said his fastball command was the best it has been so far.

Verlander (4-0) held the Angels hitless into the fifth inning before Zack Cozart singled with two outs. Verlander gave up two runs on four hits, striking out nine without a walk.

Verlander won his 11th regular-season decision in a row, dating to mid-August, before the Tigers traded him to the Astros.

“I feel like I say this every time he pitches, but what a great job of dominating and controlling the game,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “Even in the inning where he wobbled a little bit, it never gets away from him.”

The Astros’ Alex Bregman had a three-run double, Jake Marisnick homered and Carlos Correa extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a double. Ken Giles pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.