Sports
Astros advance in MLB playoffs

WASHINGTON: Defending champion Houston advanced in the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs by edging Minnesota 3-2 on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) while Philadelphia smashed a record-tying six home runs to defeat Atlanta.

Jose Abreu belted a two-run homer and Michael Brantley hit a solo homer for the Astros, who reached the American League Championship Series for a seventh consecutive campaign.