Astros clinch postseason spot with win over Angels
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros toasted a playoff berth in a private moment, and then moved on to their next goal.
“You’ve got to take it step by step so it’s nice to acknowledge and celebrate it because you don’t take it for granted,” right-hander Gerrit Cole said. “But we’ve got some more work to do.”
Yuli Gurriel hit a grand slam and a two-run homer on his way to a career-high seven RBIs, and the Astros secured a spot in the postseason with an 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.
George Springer added a three-run shot in the eighth for the Astros, who are still looking to secure the American League West title. The defending World Series champions lead second-place Oakland by 3 1/2 games.
Cole (15-5) allowed three hits and three runs in seven innings in his fifth straight win. He also struck out 12, giving him 1,006 for his career and moving him in front of teammate Justin Verlander (269) for most in the AL this season with 272.
Gurriel hit his third career grand slam in the first inning. He connected for his 12th homer against Andrew Heaney (9-10) in the third and singled in Tyler White in the fifth.
It was his first career multihomer game. His brother Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also homered twice for Toronto on Friday night, marking the first time in major league history that brothers had multihomer games on the same day.
“My parents were so happy that they didn’t know what to do with themselves, hearing the great news,” Yuli Gurriel said through a translator. “Sometimes I have a good game and sometimes he has a good game, but for us to have a great game together is very special.”
Gurriel’s seven RBIs were the most for a Houston player since J.R. Towles set a franchise record with eight 11 years ago.
Mike Trout homered for the second straight game for the Angels, who lost their third in a row. They allowed 42 runs combined in those three losses.
Heaney allowed six runs in three innings.
“At the wrong times, he hung some pitches and those guys didn’t miss them,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He had eight baserunners in three innings, so he was a little out of sorts and they turned the page on him.”