Gurriel helps Astros punch playoff ticket
Cuban’s slam, seven RBIS bury 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 as the Astros secured a spot in the postseason with an 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.
George Springer added a threerun shot in the eighth for the Astros, who still are looking to secure the AL West title. The defending World Series champions began the day with a 3½-game lead over second-place Oakland.
Cole (15-5) allowed three hits and three runs over seven innings in his fifth straight win. He 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 Friday for Toronto, 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.
Gurriel’s seven RBIS were the most for a Houston player since J.R. Towles set a franchise record with eight 11 years ago Friday.
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.
“He had eight baserunners in three innings,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, “so he was a little out of sorts, and they turned the page on him.”