Valdez (6-4) scattered five hits across seven scoreless innings to extend his winning streak to four games. The left-hander, who struck out seven, has given up just one run combined in his last three starts to lower his ERA to 2.16.
There was one out in the first inning when Alvarez connected on his team-leading 15th home run to make it 2-0. Rookie Corey Julks added a two-run shot off Ohtani (5-2) in the sixth to push the lead to 5-0.
Ohtani yielded a season-worst nine hits and tied a season high with five runs surrendered in six innings for his second loss this year. Batting leadoff for the first time this season, the two-way star also had a tough night at the plate, going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts and a walk.
Taylor Ward had three hits and drove in a run in the eighth inning for the Angels as they fell to 0-2 in the four-game series.
Chas McCormick had three hits and Kyle Tucker added two hits and an RBI for the Astros.
Jeremy Peña singled with one out in the first and moved to second on a throwing error by Gio Urshela on the play. A wild pitch by Ohtani sent him to third before Alvarez’s shot to the seats behind the bullpen in right-center made it 2-0.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
Tucker, José Abreu and Chas McCormick hit consecutive singles to load the bases with two outs in the fourth. But Ohtani retired Julks on a groundout to leave everybody stranded.
Peña walked with two outs in the fifth, and Alvarez singled. Alex Bregman then hit a line drive to left field to score Peña, but Alvarez got caught between second and third to end the inning.
Ohtani ran into trouble again with two outs in the sixth when McCormick singled on a grounder. Julks followed with a shot to center field that pushed the lead to 5-0.
Tucker added an RBI double with two outs in the seventh to make it 6-0.
Brandon Drury and Ward hit back-to-back RBI singles with two outs in the eighth to cut the lead to 6-2.
The Angels’ Taylor Ward, who had three hits, connects for an RBI single during the eighth inning.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
Trainer’s room
Angels: Shortstop Zach Neto was hit with a pitch on the left foot in the third inning. He remained in the game for a few innings before being replaced by Luis Rengifo in the bottom of the sixth with soreness on the foot where he was plunked.
Up next
Houston right-hander Cristian Javier (6-1, 2.97) opposes left-hander Patrick Sandoval (3-4, 3.42) when the series continues Saturday.