PHOENIX — The Houston Astros came back to claim their third straight American League West Division title by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 on Sunday, thanks to six strong innings by Dominican Cristian Javier and Alex Bregman’s two career home runs.
Kyle Tucker contributed a sacrifice fly to reach 112 RBIs, the most in the American League and third in the Major Leagues.
Cuban José Abreu added a two-run homer in the seventh and the Astros won their sixth division title in seven years, after the Rangers lost 1-0 to the Mariners.
The Astros will have a bye in the wild-card round, while the Diamondbacks will face the Brewers in a best-of-three series that begins Tuesday.
For the Astros, Venezuelan José Altuve is 4-1, with one run scored. Cubans Yadier Álvarez 3-1, scored one; and Abreu 2-for-4, two runs scored and two RBIs. Puerto Rican Martín Maldonado 3-0. Dominican Jeremy Peña 3-1, one RBI.
For the DBacks, Cuban Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 2 for 4, one RBI. Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rivera 3-1.
