MLB: LaMonte Wade Jr.’s pinch-hit homer helps Ethan Pecko earn first career win as Astros stay atop AL West

Ethan Pecko gave the Astros five innings, and LaMonte Wade Jr. supplied the swing that turned the game around. Houston beat the New York Mets 6-3 at Citi Field to take the series 2-1.

Pecko, a 24-year-old regarded as the ninth-best prospect in Houston’s farm system, surrendered back-to-back home runs to Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto in the first inning. He settled down afterward, retiring nine straight batters across the second through fourth innings.

The right-hander faced trouble again in the fifth, issuing two walks. Luis Torrens grounded into a double play that brought home a run, but Pecko limited the damage and completed his outing after 83 pitches. He finished with four strikeouts, two walks and three runs allowed, including two earned.

Houston’s lineup backed him with early and late production. Jeremy Peña homered at the start of the game and added an RBI single in the second inning. In the sixth, Wade came in to bat with a runner on second and drove Jonathan Pintaro’s middle-cut cutter over the wall for a two-run homer that put the Astros ahead. Houston added two more runs in the seventh after a Mets error.

AJ Blubaugh, Bryan Abreu and Steven Okert protected the lead before closer Josh Hader recorded his 21st save. Pintaro took the loss after allowing the two-run homer in one inning. Houston leads the division, but Texas trails by two games and Seattle by five. The Mets, at 61-76, are virtually out of postseason contention.