By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON — Michael Lorenzen pitched into the sixth inning in his return to the Angels’ starting rotation and Mike Trout hit a home run for the fifth consecutive game, but the Houston Astros did most of their scoring in the late innings and handed the Angels a 4-3 loss on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros trailed by one entering the seventh when Trey Mancini led off with a single. Chas McCormick then connected for a two-run home run off Andrew Wantz (2-1) to put Houston ahead, 3-2.

Jeremy Peña hit a solo homer in the sixth and the Astros added an insurance run in the eighth when McCormick drew a bases-loaded walk off José Marte.

Closer Ryan Pressly allowed a solo homer to Taylor Ward with one out in the ninth before striking out the next two batters to get his 26th save in his return from the injured list after being out since Aug. 22 with a neck strain.

Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr. (3-1) gave up four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in a season-high seven innings for his second straight win.

The only damage the Angels did against McCullers was a two-run homer by Trout that made it 2-0 in the sixth. The five straight games with a home run is the longest streak of his career and ties a franchise record.

Trout tied Bobby Bonds, who did it from Aug. 2-7, 1977, for the longest streak in Angels’ history. It was Trout’s 33rd homer to tie him with teammate Shohei Ohtani for second-most home runs in the American League behind New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who has 55.

The Astros had managed just one hit off Lorenzen when Peña homered into the seats in right field to cut the lead to 2-1 with one out in the sixth

Lorenzen allowed three hits and one run with four walks in 5-2/3 innings in his return after missing 56 games with a strained right shoulder.

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He struggled with control early and his third walk of the second inning loaded the bases with two outs. But Martín Maldonado grounded into a force out to allow Lorenzen to escape the jam. He walked Alex Bregman to start the fourth, but still faced the minimum in that inning when Bregman was caught stealing for the third out.

The Astros didn’t get a hit until McCormick singled to start the fifth inning. He was erased when David Hensley grounded into a double play before Lorenzen retired Maldonado to end the inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak was reinstated from the injured list before Friday’s game. He had missed 29 games with a fractured middle finger on his left hand. … Right-hander Touki Toussaint was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake City and outfielder Ryan Aguilar was designated for assignment to make room for Moniak and Lorenzen on the roster. … Catcher Max Stassi was removed from the game in the seventh inning as a precaution after taking a foul tip off his mask.

UP NEXT

Angels (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 11-8, 2.58 ERA) at Astros (RHP Jose Urquidy, 13-5, 3.51 ERA), Saturday, 4:15 p.m., FOX (Ch. 11), 830 AM