carlos correa

HOUSTON — Cristian Javier didn’t give up a hit in six innings and three relievers completed the two-hitter to help the Houston Astros to a 2-0 win over the Angels (62-72) on Friday night.

Javier struck out six, walked three and threw 85 pitches in six innings. He was making his fourth start of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024.

He was relieved by Enyel De Los Santos (5-3), who gave up a double to Yoán Moncada for the Angels’ first hit of the game, but secured the win.

Kaleb Ort secured a four-out save — his first save of the season — after relieving Craig Kimbrel in the eighth. Kimbrel walked three and threw eight strikes in 25 pitches. Ort secured a fly out from Jo Adell to end the eighth, then finished with a perfect ninth.

Carlos Correa broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single in the seventh that scored Yordan Alvarez. The Astros (75-60) were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position before that hit off losing pitcher Luis García Jr. (2-1).

Alvarez drove in a second run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Cam Smith, who walked earlier in the inning.

Key moment: Before Correa’s single, Alvarez reached first base on a fielding error by second baseman Christian Moore. He scored after advancing on a bloop single from Jose Altuve.

Key stat: Javier’s six no-hit innings are tied for second-longest no-hit outing of his career with a nine-strikeout performance in the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. His career best was a seven-inning performance against the New York Yankees on June 25, 2022.

Up next: The Astros will send RHP Spencer Arrighetti (1-5, 6.21 ERA) to the mound against Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (6-9, 5.04) on Saturday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Ty France doubled, singled and drove in a run as the Minnesota Twins matched their season high with 13 hits and beat the Angels 5-1 on Saturday for their fourth win in five games.

Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel bruised his right knee when he fouled off a pitch in the fourth inning and needed assistance when he left the field. He was replaced by a pinch-hitter.

Carlos Correa had two singles and two RBIs, while Brock Lee had a single, a double and drove in a run.

Simeon Woods Richardson (2-2) gave up one run and four hits in 5⅓ innings with no walks and seven strikeouts. Four pitchers combined on one-hit relief.

After taking two of three from the Chicago White Sox and winning the first two games against the Angels, the Twins have consecutive series victories for the first time since last Aug. 12-18.

Zach Neto had three hits, including a home run, and had a career-best three stolen bases for the Angels, who have lost four of five.

Yusei Kikuchi (0-4) lost his fifth straight decision, giving up four runs, nine hits and four walks in two-plus innings with no strikeouts. Kikuchi failed to record an out in the third inning for the first time in six starts this year.

Minnesota took a 3-0 lead in the first as Correa, France and Jonah Bride drove in runs during an inning that included six singles.

Correa had another RBI single in the second, and France and Lee doubled for a 5-1 lead in the sixth.

Key moment: After Woods Richardson allowed a one-out single to Neto in the fifth, Brock Stewart struck out Mike Trout and retired Taylor Ward on a flyout.

Key stat: Minnesota left the bases loaded in each of the first three innings.

Up next: Angels RHP José Soriano (2-3, 4.34) faces Twins RHP Joe Ryan (1-2, 4.00) in Sunday’s series finale.