HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton left Houston's 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday after one inning because of discomfort in his pitching shoulder, a potential problem for the World Series champions as they close in consecutive AL West titles.
The 34-year-old right-hander did not pitch for the Astros from Aug. 28 until Sept. 8 because of right shoulder discomfort. He won his first two starts following his stint on the disabled list, allowing four runs in 11 innings.
Morton threw 24 pitches in the first. He gave up a double to Justin Upton, who scored from second on a wild pitch in the dirt that bounced off the glove of catcher Martin Maldonado, who initially had trouble finding the ball.
AL West-leading Houston started the day 3½ games ahead of second-place Oakland.
Yuli Gurriel hit a two-run homer, giving him three homers and 10 RBIs in the three-game series, and Evan Gattis had three hits and two RBIs.
Framber Valdez (4-1) followed Morton and struck out a career-high nine in six innings, allowing one run and three hits. He had been scheduled to start Wednesday at Toronto.
Tyler Skaggs (8-9) gave up four runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings, the fourth straight start he failed to last four innings. Skaggs has given up 22 runs in that span.
Gurriel hit a two-run homer in the first, extending his hitting streak to nine games, and Gattis added an RBI single for a 3-1 lead.
Gattis added an RBI single in the fifth off Jim Johnson, and Angels rookie Jose Briceno homered in the sixth. Josh Reddick drew a bases-loaded, four-pitch walk from Williams Jerez in the seventh.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: OF Mike Trout was given the day off. ... INF Jose Fernandez is day to day after being hit by a pitch on the right hand in the first inning of Saturday's game. Scioscia said the hand is sore.
Astros: OF George Springer was given the day off. ... INF Carlos Correa was held out of the lineup for the fourth straight game.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Felix Pena (3-5, 4.20 ERA) will open a series Monday at Texas.
Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (11-11, 3.71 ERA) starts Monday's series opener at Toronto. He has given up 12 runs in his last three starts and is seeking his first win since Sept. 3.