Astros beat Mets: Bregman hits hard in eighth inning as Houston recovers from five-run deficit

NEW YORK — Alex Bregman gave Houston the lead with a two-run single in the eighth inning, and the healthy Astros came from five runs down to beat the New York Mets 9-6 on Saturday afternoon.

Jake Meyers hit a leadoff home run and Jeremy Peña started the comeback with a two-run double off Mets starter Tylor Megill in a three-run fourth inning.

After its seven-game winning streak was snapped Friday night in the series opener, Houston (41-41) won for the 11th time in the last 15 games.

New York still led 6-4 in the eighth inning, but an overworked and injury-weakened bullpen, without suspended stopper Edwin Díaz, was unable to maintain the advantage.

Mark Vientos hit a home run for the Mets (40-40), who had won four straight and 16 of 20 games entering Saturday’s game.

Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett (7-3) combined to walk four Houston batters in the eighth inning.

Garrett threw a wild pitch with two outs, then gave up Bregman’s single on a complete pitch.

Mauricio Dubón added a two-run double against Danny Young with two outs in the ninth.

Seth Martinez (3-2) pitched a perfect seventh inning for the win after starter Framber Valdez, hurt by shoddy defense, allowed six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Ryan Pressly finished the eighth inning scoreless and Josh Hader got three quick outs for his 12th save in 13 opportunities.

Pete Alonso’s two-run single capped a five-run second inning, as the Mets took advantage of Valdez’s error and two other defensive errors to open up a 5-1 cushion.

Vientos lined a 429-foot solo homer to center field in the third.

Singer sensation José Iglesias had three hits for the Mets: two doubles and a productive infield single.

New York has homered in 12 straight games.

The Mets will start right-hander Luis Severino (5-2, 3.29 ERA) in the final game of the series today.

Severino is 2-4 with a 4.93 ERA against the Astros and hasn’t beaten them since May 2018 with the Yankees.

Houston had not announced a starter and could field a game in the bullpen.