Astros complete sweep of Mets behind 2 more HRs by Alvarez

HOUSTON » Yordan Alvarez homered twice off Carlos Carrasco as the Houston Astros jumped on him early and held on for a 5-3 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday.

Alvarez hit two of the season-high three homers Carrasco allowed before the pitcher left with lower back tightness in the third inning with the Astros up 5-1. Alvarez, who also homered Tuesday night, now has 21 this season.

The 24-year-old Alvarez leads all players with a 1.064 OPS and has hit nine homers in his last 20 games.

Alex Bregman added a two-run homer for the Astros, who won their third straight.

Carrasco (8-3) yielded four hits and five runs in 2.1 innings before his injury. The National League-leading Mets have dropped eight in a row in Houston.

BLUE JAYS 9, WHITE SOX 5 » Bo Bichette hit a grand slam and Alejandro Kirk homered for the second straight game, leading Ross Stripling and Toronto over injury-riddled Chicago.

Bichette’s second career slam capped a five-run fourth inning as the Blue Jays avoided a three-game series sweep.

PADRES 10, DIAMONDBACKS 4 » Jurickson Profar had four hits, drove in two runs and scored twice for San Diego, which jumped on Madison Bumgarner early against Arizona for a three-game sweep.

Padres All-Star slugger Manny Machado missed his third straight game with a sprained left ankle, but manager Bob Melvin returned after missing 11 games while in the COVID protocols.

Angels send Detmers to minors 6 starts after no-hitter

ANAHEIM » The Los Angeles Angels have optioned Reid Detmers to the minors just six starts after the rookie left-hander threw a no-hitter. The Angels assigned Detmers to Triple-A Salt Lake, a day after he made his sixth consecutive winless appearance since his no-hitter against Tampa Bay on May 10.

Detmers, 22, became the youngest Angel to throw a no-hitter during that 12-0 victory over the Rays in his 11th career start.