Pujols’ blast snaps Angels’ skid at 6

Albert Pujols’ three-run homer in the fifth inning was the key blow Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Angels snapped a six-game losing streak and defeated the Houston Astros 5-2 in Houston.

Going into the game, the Halos had gone 20 consecutive innings without scoring, but they got just enough to beat the AL West-leading Astros (9-5). The Angels improved to 7-8, good for second place in the second place in the ALW and 2.5 games back of the Astros.

They survived a late scare to pull off the win. The Astros had runners at second and third with two out in the bottom of the ninth, but could not push the run across against Angel closer Cam Bedrosian.

Ricky Nolasco (1-2) pitched well, working six innings and giving up eight hits and two runs, both on home runs. The Angels totaled nine hits, but two were home runs – Pujols’ 593rd career dinger – and a second inning solo blast by Andrelton Simmons.

“You’re always pleased any time you get an opportunity to help your team out to win,” Pujols said. “That’s my job, so I just put the best swing of the night. I’m just glad that we came out with the win.”

The Angels are next in action Wednesday, with J.C. Ramirez (2-1) making the start for the Orange County team.

OILERS SLIDE PAST DAMIEN

Cory Moore’s three-run double was the key hit in Huntington Beach’s 4-1 win over Damien Tuesday in a first round game of the Boras Classic at Mater Dei High School.

The Oilers (16-3), the top-ranked team in the CIF-SS Division 1, will take on Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks on Wednesday.

Here are baseball and softball scores for schools serving the Garden Grove-Huntington Beach-Westminster area.

BASEBALL

Non-league

• Huntington Beach 4, Damien 1

Garden Grove League

• Los Amigos 22, Bolsa Grande 4
• Garden Grover 9, Santiago 0
• Rancho Alamitos 5, La Quinta 4

Sunset League

• Fountain Valley 4, Los Alamitos 3

SOFTBALL

Garden Grove League

• Santiago 14, Bolsa Grande 0
• Rancho Alamitos 5, Los Amigos 4
• Garden Grove 9, La Quinta 0

Empire League

• Pacifica 13, Tustin 1