Santander, Hays, Kremer power O's past AL-leading Astros 3-1
HOUSTON (AP) — Anthony Santander and Austin Hays homered, and Dean Kremer pitched into the eighth inning, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.
Santander's two-run shot came off José Urquidy (12-5) with one out in the third inning, and Hays connected with two outs in the frame to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead.
Kremer (6-4) allowed four hits and a run in a career-high 7 2/3 innings as the Orioles continued their strong play against the American League-leading Astros (81-47) in their pursuit of the third wild-card spot.
Kremer's performance comes a night after rookie Kyle Bradish threw eight scoreless innings in Baltimore's 2-0 win in the series opener.
Kremer retired Kyle Tucker on a fly ball for the first out of the eighth inning, but the Astros believed catcher Adley Rutschman interfered with the at-bat and challenged. The call was upheld after a review.
There were two outs in the inning when Trey Mancini singled, chasing Kremer. He was replaced by rookie Félix Bautista, who struck out David Hensley, who was playing in his first MLB game, to end the inning.
Bautista returned and struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.
Urquidy yielded four hits and three runs in five innings to snap a four-game winning streak, his longest of the season.
Rutschman doubled with one out in the third inning before Santander launched his 23rd home run into the second deck in right field to make it 2-0.
There were two outs in the inning when Hays sent a slider from Urquidy into the seats in left field to extend the lead to 3-0.
Kremer retired the first nine batters he faced before José Altuve singled with one out in the fourth inning. But he was erased when Yuli Gurriel grounded into a double play before Yordan Alvarez grounded out to end the inning.
Houston didn't get another hit until Altuve doubled with no outs in the seventh. The Astros cut the lead to 3-1 on a one-out single by Alvarez. But Alex Bregman grounded into a double play to end the inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: Utility player Aledmys Díaz (left groin discomfort) did some fielding work Saturday as he continues to recover from his injury. There is no timetable for his return.
ODDS & ENDS
Tucker went 0 for 3 to snap a career-long 17-game hitting streak. ... Hensley was 0 for 3 in his major league debut.
UP NEXT
Houston's Justin Verlander, whose 1.87 ERA leads the majors, looks for his major league-leading 17th win as the series wraps up Sunday. Austin Voth (4-1, 4.73) is set to start for Baltimore.
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