HOUSTON (AP) -- Jason Castro hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Houston Astros a 3-0 victory and a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.The win moves first-place Houston two games ahead of the Angels in the AL West.It was 0-0 to start the bottom of the ninth inning. Jed Lowrie drew a walk off Jose Alvarez (2-2) with one out before a two-out single by Marwin Gonzalez. Castro then launched his two-out shot off Fernando Salas into the seats in right field to give Houston the win.Luke Gregerson (4-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win. 
Scott Kazmir allowed three hits and struck out five in 7 2-3 scoreless innings in the first start for the Astros in his hometown and his second since a trade from the Oakland Athletics. He's been dazzling in his first two starts for the Astros, throwing 14 2-3 scoreless innings and allowing just six hits.Angels starter Matt Shoemaker was equally as good, scattering three hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts.Los Angeles center fielder Mike Trout was 0 for 3 in his return after missing two games with an injured left wrist.Kole Calhoun gave Los Angeles its first hit since the second inning with a single with one out in the sixth, but Kazmir retired the next five hitters. Johnny Giavotella singled to start the eighth and became the first Angel to reach second on a fly out. Shane Victorino drew a walk before Giavotella took third on a wild pitch.Kazmir escaped the jam and ended his night by striking out Calhoun.As he walked off the field, Kazmir, who grew up less than 30 miles from the ballpark in Cypress, Texas, tipped his cap to acknowledge a rousing standing ovation.Pat Neshek took over and struck out Trout to end the threat.Shoemaker retired the last 11 batters he faced after a single by Colby Rasmus with one out in the fourth inning.Erick Aybar singled to lead off the second inning before Kazmir retired the next 10 hitters. The next base runner came when Chris Iannetta walked with one out in the fifth, but the Angels couldn't string any hits together after that.Luis Valbuena got the first start of his career at first base on Thursday night with Lowrie taking over at third in his return from the disabled list. Valbuena, who hasn't played first base since elementary school, got some advice from Albert Pujols on playing the position. Pujols told him just to relax and "play your game."Lowrie hasn't played since April 27 because of a torn ligament in his right thumb. He was playing third base for the first time since 2011 because Carlos Correa took over at shortstop while he was injured.WATT A DAYHouston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt took batting practice early Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park before visiting with manager A.J. Hinch and most of the team."Watt, he does everything," Hinch said. "He's sort of the Superman of Houston. He's a terrific guy that has a great perspective."The 6-foot-4 Correa enjoyed meeting him and joked about his size and strength."People like him are why we play baseball," Correa said. "We get hit by a baseball not by J.J. Watt."
Scott Kazmir allowed three hits and struck out five in 7 2-3 scoreless innings in the first start for the Astros in his hometown and his second since a trade from the Oakland Athletics. He's been dazzling in his first two starts for the Astros, throwing 14 2-3 scoreless innings and allowing just six hits.Angels starter Matt Shoemaker was equally as good, scattering three hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts.Los Angeles center fielder Mike Trout was 0 for 3 in his return after missing two games with an injured left wrist.Kole Calhoun gave Los Angeles its first hit since the second inning with a single with one out in the sixth, but Kazmir retired the next five hitters. Johnny Giavotella singled to start the eighth and became the first Angel to reach second on a fly out. Shane Victorino drew a walk before Giavotella took third on a wild pitch.Kazmir escaped the jam and ended his night by striking out Calhoun.As he walked off the field, Kazmir, who grew up less than 30 miles from the ballpark in Cypress, Texas, tipped his cap to acknowledge a rousing standing ovation.Pat Neshek took over and struck out Trout to end the threat.Shoemaker retired the last 11 batters he faced after a single by Colby Rasmus with one out in the fourth inning.Erick Aybar singled to lead off the second inning before Kazmir retired the next 10 hitters. The next base runner came when Chris Iannetta walked with one out in the fifth, but the Angels couldn't string any hits together after that.Luis Valbuena got the first start of his career at first base on Thursday night with Lowrie taking over at third in his return from the disabled list. Valbuena, who hasn't played first base since elementary school, got some advice from Albert Pujols on playing the position. Pujols told him just to relax and "play your game."Lowrie hasn't played since April 27 because of a torn ligament in his right thumb. He was playing third base for the first time since 2011 because Carlos Correa took over at shortstop while he was injured.WATT A DAYHouston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt took batting practice early Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park before visiting with manager A.J. Hinch and most of the team."Watt, he does everything," Hinch said. "He's sort of the Superman of Houston. He's a terrific guy that has a great perspective."The 6-foot-4 Correa enjoyed meeting him and joked about his size and strength."People like him are why we play baseball," Correa said. "We get hit by a baseball not by J.J. Watt."
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