Now, this is scoring in bunches: Astros crank two 3-run HRs in same frame

WEST SACRAMENTO -- Six minutes.

That’s how long it took for the Astros’ dynamic offense to turn a tense, one-run ballgame into another rout of the Athletics on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park.

Jose Altuve and Victor Caratini launched three-run home runs in rapid succession in a seven-run sixth inning to blow the game open, and Houston cruised from there in an 11-4 win over the A’s.

Altuve’s three-run drive with the Astros leading 2-1 was hit at 8:44 p.m. local time, and Caratini’s dinger to make it a 9-1 ballgame came at 8:50 p.m. Yainer Diaz, Christian Walker and Cam Smith all had hits in between as the Astros batted around in their highest-scoring inning since a nine-run sixth on June 21, 2024. All seven runs came with two outs.

“It took us a while to get going,” manager Joe Espada said. “Then, once we got going, it was fun to watch those guys swing the bats.”

The Astros had a season-high 20 hits in the victory, which came on the heels of a 13-run, 15-hit outburst on Tuesday. It was the Astros’ seventh win in their past eight contests, extending their lead over the Mariners in the American League West to a season-high 5 1/2 games.

With the win and the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Angels, the Astros have the AL’s second-best record (43-31), behind only the Tigers (47-27).

“I think we’re getting some momentum, getting some good hits, big hits and getting some wins,” Altuve said. “That’s what we need.”

The Astros’ hot stretch has come even without star designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (right hand fracture) on the injured list since May 5. But a host of Houston hitters have picked up the slack.

Wednesday was no exception. Five Houston players had three hits each, the most by any team in a game this season. The Astros’ Nos. 6-9 hitters combined for a whopping 11 hits, including three apiece by Caratini, Smith and outfielder Jake Meyers. No. 9 hitter Mauricio Dubón hit a home run for the second straight day.

In 2025, the last four spots in the Astros batting order have produced a .258 average that ranks second in MLB behind only the Cubs (.263). Houston’s .705 OPS from those four lineup spots ranks fourth in the Majors.

“Once those guys get going and the top of the order comes up with people in scoring position, we’re able to open games up like that where we get everyone contributing and putting good at-bats together,” Espada said.

Seven Astros had hits in Wednesday’s huge sixth inning, which shortstop Jeremy Peña (3-for-6) kick-started with a two-out single. After Isaac Paredes drew a walk, Altuve crushed a 432-foot homer off the top of the clubhouse behind the wall in left-center.

It was Altuve’s second homer of the series -- he hit a 439-footer in Monday’s series opener -- and it gave the Astros a much-needed cushion.

“We kind of breathed a little bit once he hit that three-run shot,” Espada said. “Big swing.”

The switch-hitting Caratini followed four batters later with a 408-foot drive to left field off A’s lefty Sean Newcomb. It was the first time two Astros hit three-run homers in the same inning since Alex Bregman and Tyler White in the eighth inning on Aug. 27, 2018 (also against the A’s).

The Astros have scored in double digits in four of their past eight games. Since May 24, their 17-6 record is the best in the Majors.

A disciplined approach at the dish is a big part of that. The Astros struck out just 12 times and drew 10 walks in 98 combined plate appearances between Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I think we’re really trying to get our pitch to hit and we’re taking everything else,” Altuve said. “It seems like when we get it, we put a good swing. I think as a team, we’re doing a great job and finally getting some good games and big hits.”

Lately, the Astros have been reaping the rewards. After entering June trailing the Mariners by half a game in the AL West, they have surged to a sizable lead over Seattle … even without Alvarez in the lineup.

“Once we have full force, it’s going to be fun to watch,” Espada said.

As the Astros showed again Wednesday night, it already is.