Astros lose 5-2 to Diamondbacks as Walker gets key hit

HOUSTON - The Houston Astros lost out on an opportunity to clinch the top seed in the AL when Christian Walker capped Arizona’s three-run 10th inning with a two-run single, sending the Diamondbacks to a 5-2 victory on Sept. 28.

With the loss and the New York Yankees’ 8-3 win at Toronto, the Astros’ magic number to clinch the AL’s top seed remained at one.

"We came up short," Houston manager Dusty Baker said. "We had some opportunities to win, to try to get that magic number. I guess we’ll just have to do it against Tampa Bay."

Carson Kelly started the Arizona 10th on second and advanced when Geraldo Perdomo led off with a bunt single against Will Smith (0-3). Kelly then scored when Daulton Varsho bounced to second for a fielder’s choice.

With two out and runners on second and third, Walker made it 5-2 with a liner to left that drove in Varsho and Jake McCarthy.

"When you get those extra two runs, it changes the whole dynamic of that inning," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "It was a great moment for Christian. I know it was a tough night for him. He might have gotten rung up on some pitches that weren’t necessarily good pitches, but he erased that and came out and helped win us a baseball game."

Arizona ace Zac Gallen pitched seven innings of two-run ball. He struck out six and walked one.

Gallen has surrendered three or fewer runs in 14 straight starts.

"I didn’t feel particularly great about any certain one pitch," Gallen said. "It was just everything kind of felt OK. I was able to throw everything for strikes, but it didn’t feel super great. … I was just trying to stay in the zone, try to get back into counts. I felt like I was behind a little bit tonight. I was just locating and trying to make pitches."

Reyes Moronta (2-1) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to earn the win. Mark Melancon pitched the 10th for his 18th save.

MORE: Altuve homers twice as Astros rout Diamondbacks 10-2

Houston wasted another solid performance by Justin Verlander, who struck out eight in seven innings. The 39-year-old right-hander, one of the front-runners for the AL Cy Young Award, was charged with two runs, one earned, and six hits.

It was Verlander’s third start since returning from a right calf injury.

"I’m not as dialed in as I was before the calf, but I feel like I am working my way there," he said. "I feel like tonight was another step in the right direction. It happens quickly when you can find yourself in a groove, so I don’t feel like I’m far off."

Verlander, who remained at an AL-best 17 wins, has allowed two or fewer runs in five straight starts, lowering his major league-leading ERA to 1.80.

"Obviously, I see the numbers, I know what’s happening, I know how good the season is, but on the other side of that is when you’re in the middle of it, I don’t think you really truly appreciate what is happening," Verlander said.

Arizona scored two in the first. Varsho scampered home on a passed ball, and Pavin Smith scored on a Walker sacrifice fly.

Chas McCormick hit a two-run homer for Houston in the fifth.

ROSTER MOVES

The Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Sean Poppen from Triple-A Reno to take the place of righty Luis Frias, who was optioned after Tuesday’s game.

ROJAS, LOVULLO EJECTED

Arizona third baseman Josh Rojas and Lovullo were ejected by umpire Alan Porter in the sixth for arguing balls and strikes after Rojas struck out looking to end the inning and slammed his bat down. Sergio Alcántara replaced Rojas at third.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: DH Yordan Alvarez was out of the starting lineup after leaving Tuesday’s game with left ankle discomfort. Baker said Alvarez was sore and would come in for treatment on Houston’s off day on Thursday with the hope he might play on Friday. ... RHP Lance McCullers Jr. was feeling better but was still out due to an illness, Baker said. ... OF Michael Brantley (right shoulder) said he should be back to doing baseball activities by the start of spring training. Brantley, who is on the 60-day injured list after having season-ending shoulder surgery, is eligible for free agency after the season. He said he would like to return to the Astros.