Yainer Díaz hits three-run homer as Astros beat Diamondbacks 3-1

Yainer Díaz opened Houston’s three-run third inning with a solo home run to left field, setting the Astros on their way to a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After Díaz’s homer, Jeremy Peña and Yordan Álvarez singled consecutively with one out. Isaac Paredes then doubled home a run, and José Altuve followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Álvarez.

Cristian Javier allowed one run and one hit, a solo homer by Gabriel Moreno in the fourth inning. He struck out eight over five innings, matching his season high, and earned his first win since July 27. The victory ended a four-game losing streak and moved Javier to 2-5.

Houston’s bullpen limited Arizona to one further hit. Bennett Sousa escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth by inducing a double play, Bryan Abreu pitched 1 1/3 innings, and Josh Hader struck out all three batters in the ninth for his 23rd save in as many opportunities. It was the 250th save of Hader’s career.

The Astros improved to 73-69, four games above .500 and their best mark of the season. Their fifth win in six games increased their lead in the American League West to three games over the Texas Rangers. Arizona starter Merrill Kelly fell to 9-13 after allowing three runs and seven hits in six innings. The Diamondbacks lost for the fourth time in five games and are tied with the San Diego Padres in the race for the National League’s final wild-card place.