Astros defeat Diamondbacks 11-5 with Altuve and Peña homers

On Saturday, the Houston Astros secured an 11-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking their seventh consecutive win in games started by Yusei Kikuchi. Jose Altuve shone with three hits and three runs scored, while Jeremy Peña contributed significantly with a three-run homer during a pivotal five-run sixth inning. This performance allowed the Astros to extend their lead in the AL West to 5.5 games over the Seattle Mariners. Kikuchi, who allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings, achieved a career-high 183 strikeouts this season. Despite facing some challenges, he expressed satisfaction with his ability to keep the team competitive without issuing walks. The Diamondbacks, struggling with their performance, have now lost three straight games and seven of their last ten, putting them in a precarious position for the second National League wild card. The game saw a notable moment when Kevin Newman homered off Kikuchi, giving Arizona a brief lead. However, the Astros quickly responded with a four-run inning against Eduardo Rodriguez, who struggled to find his rhythm. Chas McCormick's two-run single was crucial in tying the game, showcasing Houston's offensive resilience. Eugenio Suárez's 25th homer brought Arizona within a run, but Peña's decisive swing solidified the Astros' dominance. The Diamondbacks' manager acknowledged the team's failure to execute in critical moments, highlighting the need for improvement as they face tough competition ahead.