Peacock scattered three hits while walking three and striking out three, yielding only a solo home run to Luis Valbuena that cut the Astros' lead to 2-1 in the fourth. Peacock, a candidate for Houston's playoff rotation, improved to 11-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 32 appearances this season, including 19 starts.
Right-hander Ricky Nolasco surrendered two runs over six innings in his first quality start since Aug. 1, but he received little help from the Angels' offense, which mustered only five hits. Rookie Keynan Middleton relieved Nolasco to start the seventh, but he threw only four pitches before exiting with right ulnar nerve irritation in his elbow.