Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Astros continued their domination if the A’s this season. They beat the A’s for the eighth time in nine tries. There is no question that the Astros, along with the New York Yankees, are the two best teams in the American League. The Astros have solid players at every position, and they showed the A’s how good they can be by beating them 11-1

Homer Bailey made his second start as a member of the A’s. Things fell apart for Bailey in the second inning. The Astros put four on the board. The scoring started when rookie Yordano Alvarez hit a solo home run to right-center field. The Astros loaded the bases with no out. George Springer singled to make it 2-0, and the bases were still loaded. Bailey walked Jose Altuve to force in the third run of the frame. Alex Bregman grounded out to drive in the Astros’ fourth run of the game.

Bailey started the third inning, but it was not his night as the Astros scored seven times to put the game out of reach. Yule Guriel and Aledmys Diaz homered in the inning. Bailey left with the score 9-0. Brian Schlitter gave up two more runs.

The A’s only run of the game came when they had their only two hits of the night. Matt Chapman doubled and scored on Mark Canha’s double.

Game Notes: Gerrit Cole was dominant. He went seven innings and allowed two hits and one earned. He struck out 11. His record improved to 11-5.

Homer Bailey absorbed his first loss as an Oakland Athletic. His line was two-plus innings pitched, nine runs and eight strikeouts. He is now 8-7 for the year.

The A’s used outfielder Nick Martini as a pitcher. Martini pitched an inning and kept the Astros off the board. He was recalled from Las Vegas to take Brett Anderson’s spot. Anderson is on paternity leave.

Yordano Alvarez set a Major League record by driving in his 35th run in his first 30 games. Albert Pujols previously held the record.

Alvarez, Guriel, and Aledmys Diaz were three Cuban-born players to homer in the game.

Up Next: The A’s hope to turn the tables Tuesday night. Game time is at 5:10 pm PT.