Kyle Tucker hits 2 RBI triples in an inning as Astros win - ESPN

HOUSTON — Kyle Tucker hit a pair of RBI triples in an eight-run sixth inning as the AL West-leading Houston Astros routed the San Diego Padres 12-2 on Sunday.

Houston has won five of six and opened a 2½-game AL West lead over Seattle, which lost to Tampa Bay 6-3. The defending champion Astros are a season-high 20 games over .500 at 82-62.

«It's time to capitalize,» Chas McCormick said. «I feel like we've been playing some pretty good ball. We're excited. We're as healthy as we can be right now, and if we get the ball rolling, we can take this division. It's going to come down to the end, so we just have to make sure we win every game possible.»

Tucker became the first Houston player over the last 50 seasons to triple twice in an inning, getting hits off Tim Hill and Rich Hill. He's only the second player in the Expansion Era (since 1961) with two triples in an inning, joining Colorado's Cory Sullivan, who did so in the top of the fifth on April 9, 2006, at San Diego.

This is only the second time in Tucker's career he's hit two triples in a game, the other being at Colorado on Aug. 19, 2020.

«I think having the opportunity to bat twice in the same inning is nice just with all the other guys putting together quality at bats and having the opportunity to get back up,» Tucker said. «Then, putting the ball in play and doing the most with it.»

Jose Abreu and Yainer Diaz hit RBI singles, Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch, catcher Luis Campusano made a run-scoring error and Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman hit sacrifice flies as the Astros sent 12 batters to the plate.

Houston has scored at least six runs in each of its last 19 wins.

«We're just confident right now,» McCormick said. «Offensively, we know we can do a good job up