HOUSTON: Houston completed a three-game sweep of the series between the American League’s top teams by beating Kansas City 6-5 on Thursday, with Jose Altuve scoring the tiebreaking run for the Astros in the seventh inning.
The Astros have three more wins, but also three more losses, than the reigning AL champs, who are ahead on winning percentage.
The tight margins in the AL are exemplified by the East division, where the top four teams are separated by just one game, with the New York Yankees remaining second despite victory at the Los Angeles Angels.
A wasteful National League leader St. Louis was beaten at home by the Chicago White Sox in an interleague clash, and nearest rival Pittsburgh crept within seven games by downing Detroit.
The Houston-Kansas City game was tied in the seventh when Kelvin Herrera (1-2) hit Altuve on the forearm, putting him on first base. Altuve stole second and reached third on a lineout.
He put Houston on top when he beat the tag at the plate after a throw by Chris Carter. The play was reviewed and upheld.
New York’s Nathan Eovaldi pitched scoreless into the sixth inning to guide the Yankees to a 3-1 win at the Angels.
Garrett Jones homered while Chase Headley and Didi Gregorius had run-scoring singles for New York, which took the finale of a mediocre seven-game road trip.
The Angels announced the resignation of general manager Jerry Dipoto during the game, apparently quit due to conflicts with manager Mike Scioscia, who has denied any problems.
The White Sox capitalised on a wasteful Cardinals performance to win 7-1 at St. Louis, with the hosts again stranding a multitude of players in scoring position.
The Cardinals were 0 for 16 with runners on second and third over the series, including seven on Wednesday.
Melky Cabrera homered in the sixth to give the White Sox the lead while starter Jose Quintana (4-7) gave up one run in six innings with eight strikeouts.