By Morris Phillips

AP photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Marc Rzepczynski reacts after committing a fielding error on Houston Astros Colby Rasmus at Minute Field on Sunday

Sonny Gray’s performance and the circumstances surrounding his appearance may have perked up A’s fans, but the team did little else to raise spirits in a 5-2 loss to the Astros on Sunday.

Gray returned from the disabled list in far better shape than when he left, throwing 69 pitches and looking like a No. 1 starter now that he’s recovered from the strain of his right trapezius that sidelined him for 16 days. The 26-year old right hander let it rip, hitting 96 mph with his fastball and consistently throwing his heater in the mid-90’s as he pitched five innings, allowing five hits and a run.

The A’s staked Gray to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, and after a Carlos Gomez solo shot in the fifth, they led 2-1 to start the sixth. But three different Oakland relievers allowed runs while the A’s offense disappeared after the first inning, allowing the Astros to complete a three-game sweep in the series.

With the loss, the A’s fell a season-worst 9 ½ games off the pace in the AL West, and they’ll need to wait at least until Tuesday in Milwaukee to get their first win on this eight-game road trip.

But at least Gray provided hope.

The A’s top starter was scheduled for a rehab start with Single A Stockton before rejoining the parent club on Friday in Cincinnati. But when Gray got wind of Rich Hill’s injured groin and the decision to shelve the veteran for at least the weekend, he called head trainer Nick Paparesta and lobbied to rejoin the club without doing the stint for Stockton. Gray then spoke to both manager Bob Melvin and pitching coach Curt Young, explaining that he was feeling good and capable of making a start.

Once everyone involved signed off, Gray jumped on a plane to Houston, arriving on Saturday. And based on the crispness and velocity on his pitches, it appears that the decision to reinstate Gray was the right one.

“Just the conviction and the freeness he was throwing with, I thought looked like him,” catcher Stephen Vogt said. “He had his movement down in the zone and was getting ground balls… and swing-and-misses with his breaking balls. That’s Sonny. He looked outstanding.”