Astros 3, Angels 1: Bud Norris pitched eight strong innings and Chris Carter homered for the second straight night as Houston held on to defeat visiting Los Angeles.

Norris (4-3) allowed nine hits and one run, leaving after two batters in the ninth before Jose Veras got a strikeout and double play to earn his fourth save. Jimmy Paredes and Marwin Gonzalez each had a pair of hits and an RBI for the Astros.

Josh Hamilton homered for the first time in 21 games and the Angels loaded the bases with one out in the ninth before losing for the 11th time in 14 games. Los Angeles starter Joe Blanton (0-6) gave up eight hits and three runs over 6 2/3 innings to take the loss.

Gonzalez and Paredes each delivered RBI doubles off Blanton in the third as Houston edged in front 2-0. Carter led off the fifth with a solo homer to left, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Hamilton homered to left field with one out in the seventh, but Norris retired Howie Kendrick and Alberto Callaspo to avoid any more damage. Veras struck out Mark Trumbo and hit Hamilton before getting Kendrick to ground into the double play to end the game.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Angels SS Erick Aybar singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, a team high this season. … Houston has won back-to-back games for the first time since April 24-25 against Seattle. … The Angels are 11-22, matching their worst 33-game start in franchise history. They had the same mark in 1969 and 1976.