Astros hold off Orioles for wild 14-11 win

HOUSTON (AP) — Jake Meyers hit a three-run homer, Jose Altuve and rookie Joey Loperfido added three hits each and the Houston Astros used a nine-run sixth inning to pull away for a 14-11 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

The Astros led 14-4 after seven innings then held on after the Orioles scored seven runs in the eighth.

"We wanted to do it in a different way at the end of course, but at the end of the day it's a win," manager Joe Espada said.

Houston set a season high in runs, a day after the Orioles had their highest-scoring game of the year in a 17-5 win over the Yankees.

The Astros trailed by one and had two on with two outs in the fifth inning when Meyers sent a pitch from Grayson Rodriguez (8-3) into the seats in left field to make it 5-3.

Houston sent 13 batters to the plate as they tacked on nine runs in the sixth to extend the lead to 14-3. The nine runs are the most by the Astros in an inning this season. They hit five doubles in the frame, including two from Loperfido.

Baltimore's Gunnar Henderson homered twice to give him 24 this season, which ranks second in the majors behind Aaron Judge's 27. The Orioles, who lead the majors with 123 home runs, have homered in 20 consecutive games, which is tied for the longest streak in franchise history.

Henderson's first home run was a solo shot in the seventh. Henderson, Jorge Mateo and Anthony Santander each hit two-run homers in Baltimore’s seven-run eighth.

"It just shows you what we're capable of offensively, we're never out of a game. … It was just a little too many runs to come back from," manager Brandon Hyde said. "That was a heck of a fight."

Adley Rutschman had a career-high five hits as Baltimore lost for the second time in six games.

Houston starter Jake Bloss allowed six hits and two runs with two strikeouts in his major league debut before leaving with right shoulder discomfort with two outs in the fourth inning.

Bloss joined the major league team despite never pitching in Triple-A with Houston’s rotation decimated by injuries. The 22-year-old Bloss, who was drafted in the third round last year, was 4-2 with a 1.74 ERA in 12 minor league starts between High-A and Double-A this season.

"It's very cool for sure," he said of making his MLB debut just a year after being drafted. "Obviously it’s the dream."

Shawn Dubin (1-1) permitted three hits and a run in 2 1/3 innings. Bryan Abreu pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save.

Rodriguez allowed nine hits and seven runs in 5-plus innings.

There was a delay in the middle of the fourth inning when home plate umpire Scott Barry left the game after being hit in the mask with a foul tip. Second base umpire Tom Hanahan took over behind the plate.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: C Victor Caratini was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hip flexor. … Loperfido was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to take his spot on the roster.

FAMILY AFFAIR

Hyde and Espada are brothers-in-law, and Friday was the first time they've met in a game where both were managing. The two exchanged lineup cards at home plate before the game and Espada said the families would get together to catch up at some point this weekend.

Espada's wife Pamela is the youngest sister of Hyde's wife Lisa.

UP NEXT

Houston RHP Ronel Blanco (7-2, 2.43) opposes RHP Corbin Burnes (8-2, 2.14) when the series continues Saturday.