Astros hit 3 homers to end skid vs Nationals

Posted August 23, 2017 7:00 am

By KRISTIE RIEKEN

Houston Astros' Jake Marisnick hits a home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) - Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer and Jake Marisnick and Max Stassi added solo shots to help the Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals 6-1 on Wednesday night.

The victory snaps a nine-game losing streak to the Nationals and is just Houston's second win in the last 15 games against Washington.

Houston starter Mike Fiers (8-8) yielded four hits and one run in seven strong innings to get his first win since July 21. Fiers was in command from the start, looking much better than he had in his last four starts when he allowed a combined 24 hits and 20 runs.

The game was tied at 1 with one out in the fifth when Marisnick sent a curveball from Edwin Jackson (4-3) into left-center field for his 15th homer.

In the eighth, Stassi launched a towering shot to the train tracks atop left field to push the lead to 3-1. Marisnick singled and George Springer walked before Bregman's home run made it 6-1.

Jackson allowed six hits and two runs in six innings for the loss.

Andrew Stevenson got things going for Washington when he doubled with one out in the third inning before a single by Howie Kendrick. The Nationals took a 1-0 lead when Stevenson scored on a sacrifice fly by Wilmer Difo.

Jose Altuve got a triple to start Houston's fourth when Stevenson ran in front of Michael Taylor in center field and just missed making the catch on his fly ball. Houston tied it when Altuve scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Reddick.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (neck inflammation) is expected to come off the disabled list Friday to start against the New York Mets. ... RHP Ryan Madson is visiting a specialist in Arizona to determine why his sprained right index finger isn't getting any better.

Astros: SS Carlos Correa (left thumb surgery) will begin a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Fresno on Thursday. He is expected to play seven innings. Manager A.J. Hinch isn't sure how long he'll need to play in the minors before coming off the disabled list. ... RHP Lance McCullers (back discomfort) will start for Fresno on Friday in his first rehabilitation outing. ... C Evan Gattis (concussion) is likely to return to the lineup on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Nationals: Stephen Strasburg (10-3, 3.25 ERA) is scheduled to start for Washington in the series finale on Thursday. Strasburg allowed four hits and two runs in six innings of a 3-1 loss to the Padres in his last start.

Astros: Dallas Keuchel (11-2, 2.58) will start for Houston on Thursday. He allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings of a 3-1 win over the Athletics his last time out.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Houston Astros' Jake Marisnick, right, runs the bases after hitting a home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) The Associated Press

Washington Nationals right fielder Andrew Stevenson (45) and center fielder Michael Taylor try to catch a triple by Houston Astros' Jose Altuve during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) The Associated Press

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