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HOUSTON — Michael Brantley’s grand slam was one of three homers in a 10-run sixth inning that led the Houston Astros to a 13-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker also finished sixth on a night as the Astros hit five home runs and set a season-high for runs.
The game was tied in game six when Alex Bregman pulled a leadoff walk and scored when Alvarez singled and right fielder Andrew Vaughn brought down third base.
The Astros increased the lead to 5-3 on an RBI double from Tucker that stretched his hitting streak to 15 games in his career, the longest active streak in the majors.
White Sox starter Lucas Giolito (4-3) beat Yuli Gurriel before being chased by a single from Aledmys Díaz. Matt Foster took over and was greeted by an RBI single from Chas McCormick that loaded the bases.
There were two outs as Brantley hit the third grand slam of his career for a 10-3. Bregman went into the inning for the second time before Alvarez hit right field.
Tanner Banks relieved Foster and Tucker homered to right field to top the inning’s scoring. Gurriel singled before Díaz – who was the inning’s 14th batter – was pulled back to end it.
It’s the first time Houston has scored at least 10 runs in an inning since he hit 11 runs in game eight against Minnesota on May 29, 2017 to rally for a 16-8 win.
Giolito allowed seven hits and a season-high eight carries in more than five innings.
Houston starter Framber Valdez (7-3) had eight hits and three runs with seven strikeouts in six innings.
A double homer by Bregman in the first inning gave the Astros an early lead. A solo shot from Gurriel made it 3-0 in the second.
AJ Pollock tied for third with his triple homer before Houston broke him up in the sixth.
TRAINING ROOM
White Sox: 3B Yoán Moncada left the game in the third inning with a strain in his left hamstring. Moncada stopped after running to first base with a groundout in the second inning and hobbled slightly as he returned to the dugout. He stayed in play at third base in the bottom of the inning before being replaced by Josh Harrison in the third. The team announced his injury and said he was being investigated further. … RHP Michael Kopech, who left his last start on Sunday in the first inning with a right knee problem, was feeling good after throwing a bullpen session on Thursday and will start Sunday. … Manager Tony La Russa said SS Tim Anderson (right groin strain) is expected to be taken off the injured list on Monday. Anderson was injured on May 29 and is on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Charlotte.
Astros: RHP Lance McCullers Jr., who was out all season with a forearm injury, threw the mound to the batsman before Friday’s game. McCullers threw about 27 pitches. There is no timetable for his return.
NEXT
Houston Justin Verlander (8-2, 1.94 ERA) takes on Johnny Cueto (0-3, 3.53) as the series resumes on Saturday.
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