THE ANGELS are back in first place in the American League West (Shutterstock).

The Los Angeles Angels are back in first place after a 7-2 win over the Astros in Texas on Tuesday night.

Now 7-5 in the American League West – a half-game ahead of the Astros (6-5) – the Halos exploded for five runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Angels had 13 hits in the game, including three by Jo Adell and two each by Taylor Ward, Anthony Rendon and Jack Mayfield. Kurt Suzuki drove in three runs.

Starter Patrick Sandoval worked four shutout innings, giving up four hits and no runs. He struck out five batters and walked none. The win went to Oliver Ortega (1-1) who followed with two shutout innings.

The series will conclude on Wednesday with Shohei Ohtani (0-2) slated to make the start.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost 3-1 to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday at home, snapping a seven-game winning streak. The Blue Crew has managed only two hits off Braves’ starter Max Fried in seven innings pitched.  He struck out eight batters and walked none.

Walker Buehler worked five innings for the home team, yielding eight hits and three earned runs. He struck out three batters and walked one

The loss put the Dodgers record at 8-3 and tied for first place in the National League West with the Colorado Rockies.

Oilers squeeze past Thunderbirds

Huntington Beach High’s baseball team opened play in the Boras Classic South on Tuesday with a 3-2 win over Yucaipa.mThe Oilers are now 17-9 overall.

In Sunset League baseball action, Los Alamitos defeated Edison 2-0. In the Garden Grove League, Los Amigos edged La Quinta 3-2.  Orange defeated Costa Mesa 6-1 in Orange Coast League play and Ocean View remained unbeaten in the Golden West League by slipping past Katella 1-0.

Softball games on Tuesday saw Rancho Alamitos defeat La Quinta 11-5 in the Garden Grove League. Huntington Beach edged Marina 1-0 and Southlands Christian beat Orangewood Academy 11-8 in San Joaquin League play.

Ducks lose 2-1 to Kings

The Los Angeles Kings, needing a win to protect their spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs, defeated the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 Tuesday night at Honda Center.

Philip Ganault and Adrian Kempe each scored for the Kings (now 40-27-10). For the Ducks (30-33-14), Adam Henrique scored on a power play.