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While one veteran continued to trend in the wrong direction relative to postseason roster construction, Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker took a crucial step toward showing he might be in prime condition should Houston qualify for the playoffs.

The Astros (84-70) reduced their magic number to claim the American League West title to four games with a 9-7 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

The third game in the four-game series in Houston will be Saturday night. The Astros took the opener 3-1 on Thursday and have won seven of their past nine games.

On Friday, while veteran Justin Verlander labored again — he is 1-4 with an 8.89 ERA over six starts since his late-August return from the injured list — Tucker produced his seventh career four-hit performance.

Tucker finished 4-for-5, scored three runs and hit his 21st home run while posting his first four-hit game in 14 months. It marked his third multi-hit game since he returned on Sept. 6 following a three-month stint on the injured list with a right shin fracture.

“He’s on the ball,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Tucker. “Just quality at-bats. It looks like his timing is coming.”

Espada evaded a query regarding Verlander and his viability as a postseason contributor.

Verlander, 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA over 22 playoff appearances (21 starts) with the Astros, has not resembled a three-time Cy Young Award winner since missing 54 games with neck discomfort. The Astros employ superior postseason rotation options as the regular season winds down.

“I’m not going to get into playoff implications,” Espada said. “We’re trying to get to the playoffs, and we’re trying to put these guys in position to succeed so we can get to the playoffs.”

Right-hander Ronel Blanco (11-6, 2.88 ERA) has the starting assignment for Houston on Saturday.

Blanco has three consecutive scoreless outings, including a start against the Angels on Sunday when he allowed four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings in a 6-4 victory. That marked his first career appearance against the Angels.

Blanco did not record a decision over his last four starts in August, posting a 4.19 ERA in 19 1/3 innings.

Left-hander Reid Detmers (4-7, 6.05 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Angels (62-92).

Detmers was the pitcher of record in the Angels’ 8-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Monday after allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. After opening the year with three wins in three starts, Detmers is 1-7 with a 7.43 ERA over his last 12 starts.

Detmers is 1-3 with a 7.17 ERA in eight career starts against the Astros, including an 0-3 record and 13.50 ERA in three starts in Houston. In his previous start against Houston on May 20, he allowed six runs on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts over four innings. He did not factor into the decision of a 9-7 road win.

One night after committing three errors, Angels rookie third baseman Eric Wagaman was back in the starting lineup. He combined a clean defensive performance with a 3-for-5 effort at the plate featuring two runs scored and a pair of RBIs. It was his second three-hit game this week.

“It was awesome,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “That’s what he’s supposed to do. I wanted to let him know that we have confidence in him. He’s a young kid. I just didn’t want his head to start spinning on him.”

–Field Level Media