Christian Walker and Yainer Diaz smacked two-run home runs as the Houston Astros ambushed a pitcher who had baffled them less than a week earlier, defeating the host Baltimore Orioles 7-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

Jesus Sanchez went 5-for-5 with four singles and a double, and Carlos Correa drove in two runs for the Astros, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

The Astros dinged Baltimore starter Brandon Young, who gained his first big-league victory last Friday in Houston, for seven runs in the first three innings.

Houston starter Jason Alexander (4-1) notched the victory by working 5 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

Baltimore outfielder Dylan Beavers, who made his major-league debut last Saturday, drilled

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