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.

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.

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.

Yainer Diaz homers in 3-run 3rd, Astros beat Diamondbacks 3-1 | iNFOnews.ca — Houston Astros’ Yainer Diaz celebrates after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Houston, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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).