by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s starter Sean Manaea pitches to the Houston Astros on Monday night at Minute Field in the second inning

Houston- The Houston Astros shutout the Oakland A’s 6-0 behind a strong performance by rookie Joe Musgrove. Musgrove, whose last two starts were a disaster, got back on track and blanked the A’s over five and 1/3rd innings of work. Musgrove allowed just three hits while walking three and striking out seven. He had retired eleven of the first thirteen A’s batters before Khris Davis singled in the fourth. The A’s lefty Sean Manaea took the loss. Manaea is now 5-9 for the season. Manaea went just three and 1/3rd innings and gave up two unearned runs. He allowed just one hit and struck out four. Manaea left the game with a left rhomboid strain. The rhomboid muscle is located between the spine and the scapula. Manaea is listed as day-to-day. Manaea said it is “just frustrating from where I’m at. I have “already been on the DL once and to me, it feels like I’m letting everyone down.I hate being hurt and just getting taken out early.” Chris Smith took over, and he was touched up for four Houston runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Houston scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-0 lead. Manaea walked a man with the bases loaded twice to plate the two Houston runs.The Astros’ All-Star second baseman, Jose Altuve homered off Chris Smith in the sixth to put the ‘Stros up 3-0. They scored two more in the seventh to put the game away 6-0. They key hits were a single by Alex Bregman that drove in two and a RBI single off the bat of Carlos Correa.

Game Notes- The A’s reinstated Billy Butler off the 7-day concussion DL Monday. Reliever Sean Doolittle, who is out with a shoulder strain, will have a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Nashville. Former All-Star, Henderson Alvarez, recovering from shoulder surgery, is set to start a rehab assignment in Stockton. Jesse Hahn will pitch Wednesday for Nashville.

The A’s meet the Astros Tuesday night for the second game of the three-game series. Kendall Graveman(10-8) will pitch for Oakland, and Collin McHugh (8-10) will handle the pitching chores for the Astros. Game time will be at 5:05 pm PT.