The Oakland A’s hitter Tony Kemp (5) has a look of surprise after the Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker makes the catch on Kemp’s fly ball to end the top of the sixth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Sat Oct 2, 2021 (AP News photo)

A’s Lose Game Two to Astros 10-4

By Barbara.Mason

With two games left in the season, the Oakland A’s took on the Houston Astros in Game Two of their final regular season series at Minute Maid Field in Houston.

As the A’s have done so often this year they took an early 2-0 lead. The Houston Astros fired back with three home runs off Paul Blackburn . Alvarez, Castro and Gurriel all hit long balls. After the Gurriel home run in the third inning Blackburn was relieved by James Kaprielian. Blackburn only went a couple innings before the change. The third home run gave Houston a 6-2 lead.

The A’s had scored a single run in the fifth inning. They still trailed 6-3 although the Astros had more in store for Oakland. They would score two runs in the sixth inning and in the seventh inning a fourth home run from Tucker allowing Gurriel to score.

The A’s had one run in the eighth inning. A single by Tony Kemp brought Matt Chapman home. It was a great game for Kemp who had 4 out of 5 hits. He was robed of a home run by Tucker which could have been a real difference maker. There were some unfortunate innings in this game for Oakland. The final was 10-4 in favor of Houston.

With this win Houston secured home field advantage in the playoffs and will host the Chicago White Sox for game 1 of the ALDS. Tomorrow in the last game of the season Oakland has the chance to win the series which would be a great way to end the season. While not what they were fighting for in the last several months it would be something positive they would take into the off-season.

In tomorrow’s game Cole Irvin will take the mound for Oakland and Jose Urquidy for Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10.