(Los Angeles) George Springer hit two homers and the Astros tightened the noose against the Oakland Athletics in that second-round series where Houston now has a solid 2-0 lead.

Martin Maldonado also hit a long shot for the Astros, who are one gain from a fourth straight appearance in the Championship Series in the American.

The third game will be played at 3:35 p.m. on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

A's Khris Davis had a solo homerun in the second but a set later Springer had a two-runner gun after two strikeouts. Josh Reddick was on base under a single.

In the fifth, Maldonado's slap put an end to Sean Manaea's first playoff outing. Yusmeiro Petit replaced him and allowed Springer's second home run, which brought the score to the final count.

Springer hit 17 home runs in his first 54 playoff games. Only Nelson Cruz and Jim Thome can say the same.

Five of Springer's long playoff balls came at Dodger Stadium, home to the Astros' triumph over the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series, in the ultimate game.

Framber Valdez allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings. He struck out the last 10 batters who marched past him.

In Game 1 of the first round, against Minnesota, Valdez impressed with a pitch for five innings in relief. He didn't give a run, limited the Twins to two hits and struck out five batters.

Enoli Paredes took charge of the eighth and Ryan Pressly scored the save.

Other than Davis and Chad Pinter's home runs, the Astros' other four hits have been singles. Neither runner reached second base.

The ball hit by Pinter crossed 453 feet, the longest homerun at Dodger Stadium this season.

Manaea suffered four runs and five hits in four and two-thirds innings.