Jason Castro's walk-off home run sealed the Houston Astros' 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels Thursday night at Minute Maid Park. With the win, the Astros (58-45) opened up a two-game lead over Los Angeles (55-46) for first place in the A.L. West with a three-game series sweep that began Tuesday.

With two men on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Castro launched a fastball from the Angels' Fernando Salas well into the stands in right-center field to give the Astros their third walk-off win of the season, second by home run, and their 10th win in their final at bat.

Jed Lowrie walked with one out, and Marwin Gonzalez singled with two outs; both runners scored ahead of Castro on the blast.

Castro's home run is his eighth of the season. It was his only hit of the night, but he made it count. MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez and Chandler Rome quoted the Astros' DH discussing the home run and the support the team has received from its fans this season. Said Castro,

"It felt great. Toward the end of the game, as we started getting deeper, you kind of actually realized how many people were here. In some big spots, we got some guys out and you could really hear and feel the intensity in there. It was great to have that back here in Houston."

Luke Gregorson (W: 4-1, 3.29 ERA) benefited from Castro's heroics as he worked a 1-2-3 top of the ninth with one strikeout. New Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir made his second start for the team, pitching 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed only three hits while walking three and fanning five. 

Jose Alvarez (L: 2-2, 3.64) walked Lowrie in the ninth to suffer the loss. He got two men out before giving way to Salas, who allowed Gonzalez's single and Castro's home run. Angels starter Matt Shoemaker was very good for seven innings but got no run support. He allowed no runs on three hits; he walked only one and struck out seven.

The Astros also won out in the trade market on Thursday. The Astros acquired slugging outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitcher Mike Fiers from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for four Minor League prospects.

Los Angeles made its splash this week as well. The Angels acquired three outfielders: Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox, David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians, and David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays. They also sent ace Jered Weaver on a rehab assignment as he recovers from inflammation in his left hip. The Angels expect Weaver back with the team this weekend for further evaluation and back in action before long.

On Friday, the Astros welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks into town for an Interleague series while Los Angeles returns to Southern California, stopping at Dodger Stadium for the weekend before returning home Monday.