Kyren Paris hits first career home run

HOUSTON — With his wiry 6-foot frame suited for the middle infield, it doesn’t look like rookie Kyren Paris would have much power.

But he has some sneaky pop, and he showed it with his first career home run against the Astros on Wednesday afternoon. His two-run drive off right-hander Hunter Brown in the fifth inning lifted the Angels to a 2-1 victory at Minute Maid Park.

It was the fifth win in seven games for the Angels, who won consecutive series against the Rangers and Astros on the road trip. They previously had only two series victories this season.

The Angels have been playing better baseball, and they’ve been helped by several youngsters coming through. On Monday, Nolan Schanuel, Logan O’Hoppe, Jo Adell and Zach Neto all went deep. Neto, however, left Wednesday’s game with right elbow soreness after a throw in the fifth, which could open the door for a bigger role for Paris if Neto misses time.

It was Paris’ turn in the spotlight on Wednesday, as he got the Angels on the board. He jumped all over a 3-2 sinker over the middle of the plate, and it wasn’t a cheap ballpark-aided home run. It left the bat at 106.9 mph, went a projected 408 feet and would’ve been a homer in all 30 parks, per Statcast.

Paris, ranked as the club’s No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was called up on May 9 despite hitting .091 with no homers in 23 games at Double-A Rocket City. The Angels have had issues with their depth because of injuries, and Paris has been trying to make the most of his opportunity.

His homer backed lefty Tyler Anderson, who has been the club’s best starter this year and turned in another gem. Anderson went eight innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He improved to 5-4 with a 2.52 ERA in 10 starts.