Correa helps lead Astros’ best start

HOUSTON — Carlos Correa has developed a knack this season for coming up with big hits with two outs.

He did it again Wednesday when he had two doubles and two RBIs to help the Astros to a 4-2 win over the Braves that gave them the best 34-game start in franchise history.

The Astros had two out and two on in the fifth when Correa’s double off Jaime Garcia (1-2) landed in the left-field corner to score two runners for a 3-2 lead.

“I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit,” Correa said. “He hung a slider over the middle of the plate and I was able to drive it for us to take the lead.”

Garcia walked Evan Gattis, and Yuli Gurriel’s single scored Correa.

Eight of Correa’s 17 RBIs this season have come with two out. After hitting just .233 with two homers and eight RBIs in April he’s heated up this month to bat .344 with two homers and seven RBIs in just nine games.

“The proof is out there every day when he’s starting to contribute every game,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “I know he had a little bit of a rough start to the season but I think him being up in the middle of the order with the game on the line is exactly what he thrives in.”

The Astros (23-11) swept the two-game interleague matchup in their first series victory over the Braves since winning two of three from May 1-3, 1999.

Joe Musgrove (2-3) allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, and Ken Giles pitched a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save in 10 chances.

Freddie Freeman and Adonis Garcia hit solo homers to give the Braves a 2-1 lead in the fourth, but the Braves couldn’t string many together hits and tied a season high with their sixth straight loss.