ASTROS FACE OFF AGAINST NATIONALS,

Wieters, Nationals beat Houston for ninth straight time

HOUSTON—Matt Wieters hit a two-run homer, Howie Kendrick had a two-run triple and the Washington Nationals beat Houston for the ninth straight time, 4-3 Tuesday night in a matchup of division leaders.

Washington’s winning streak over the Astros dates to 2012. The Nationals have won 13 of 14 against Houston since 2011.

Kendrick’s triple tied it in the third before the Astros went back on top with an RBI single by Josh Reddick in the bottom half. Anthony Rendon doubled with two outs in the fourth before the homer by Wieters, which landed just to the right of straightaway center field, gave the NL East leaders a 4-3 lead.

Tanner Roark (10-8) allowed six hits and two earned runs in 5 2-3 innings and Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save.

Charlie Morton (10-6) gave up four runs in six innings for the AL West-leading Astros.

The Astros threatened in the eighth against Brandon Kintzler when Josh Reddick and Yuli Gurriel hit consecutive singles and the Nationals intentionally walked Carlos Beltran with one out to load the bases. But Max Stassi grounded into a double play to leave Houston trailing.

George Springer led off the Houston first with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out single by Reddick.

Beltran doubled off the wall in left-center field in the second and scored on a single by Derek Fisher.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: Manager Dusty Baker said OF Bryce Harper (left knee bone bruise) isn’t limping as bad as he has been, but that there is still no timetable for his return. … RHP Max Scherzer (neck inflammation) is expected to come off the disabled list on Friday to start against the New York Mets.

Astros: SS Carlos Correa (left thumb sur-

gery) took batting practice with the team on Tuesday for the first time since he was injured. Correa, who has been out since July 18, said he feels good and hopes to go on a rehabilitation assignment soon. … Manager A.J. Hinch said that C Evan Gattis (concussion) to return to the lineup on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Nationals: Edwin Jackson (4-2, 3.43 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Nationals on Wednesday. Jackson allowed eight hits and one run in seven innings of a 2-1 win over San Diego in his last start.

Astros: Mike Fiers (7-8, 4.32) will start for Houston on Thursday. Fiers yielded seven hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings of his last outing against the Diamondbacks for his fourth loss in five games.

Associated Press n Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve throws to first as he tries to turn a double play as Washington Nationals’ Wilmer Difo slides into second base during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday in Houston. Difo was out at second and Michael...

Associated Press n Houston Astros center fielder George Springer dives while trying to catch a double by Washington Nationals’ Michael Taylor on Tuesday during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Houston.