Yainer Diaz homers in 3-run 3rd, Astros beat Diamondbacks 3-1

By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:54 PM CDT Friday, Sep. 4, 2026 Last Modified: 10:09 PM CDT Friday, Sep. 4, 2026

HOUSTON (AP) — Yainer Diaz hit a solo home run in a three-run third inning, Cristian Javier combined with four relievers to limit Arizona to three hits and the Astros beat the Diamondbacks 3-1 on Friday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Houston moved a season-high four games over .500 at 73-69 with its fifth victory in the last six games. The Astros expanded their lead in the AL West to three games over the Texas Rangers.

The Diamondbacks have lost four of their last five games. They fell into a tie with the San Diego Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.

Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes doubles, allowing Jeremy Peña to scored during the third inningn of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Houston, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Diaz led off the third with a solo home run to left. With one out, Jeremy Peña and Yordan Alvarez hit back-to-back singles before Isaac Paredes hit an RBI double. Jose Altuve followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Alvarez.

Javier (2-5) yielded one run on one hit — a solo home run to Gabriel Moreno in the fourth — and tied his season high with eight strikeouts in five innings. Javier had his first win since July 27, snapping a four-game slide.

Enyel De Los Santos allowed a hit in a third of an inning, and Bennett Sousa yielded a hit in 1 1/3 innings. Sousa escaped a bases loaded jam in the sixth inducing an inning-ending double play by Nolan Arenado.

Bryan Abreu pitched 1 1/3 innings, and Josh Hader struck out the side in the ninth for his 23rd save in as many chances. It was Hader’s 250th career save.

Arizona starter Merrill Kelly (9-13) surrendered three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in six innings. He threw seven shutout innings in his last start Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Up next

RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-2, 3.49 ERA) was set to start Saturday for the Diamondbacks opposite Astros RHP Ethan Pecko (1-0, 6.23).

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here