By Morris Phillips

Ken Waldichuk’s first 17 plus Major League innings on the mound are in the books. Now let’s review: what has the A’s rookie student learned?

Well, in his most recent lesson he found out the newly-crowned AL West champion Astros work fast, and hit mistakes with impunity. Waldichuk appeared to be establishing himself on Sunday afternoon, then he was done, unable to survive a five-run third inning that highlighted the hosts’ 11-2 wipeout of the A’s.

The inning started innocently enough with a strikeout, then consecutive base hits courtesy of Martin Maldonado and Jose Altuve. Then Waldichuk committed his biggest mistake: a four-pitch walk to Jeremy Pena ahead of all-world run producer Yordan Alvarez.

Did we note that Alvarez stepped into the batters box red-hot with seven hits, including four homers in the first three games of the series? Okay.

Waldichuk offered consecutive 80 mph sliders, and Alvarez crushed the second one which came within inches of a grand slam at the apex of the left center field wall. That cleared the bases, and Alex Bregman, another certified slugger, doubled home Alvarez. After the inning’s second out, Yuri Gurriel finished off Waldichuk, sending his 30th pitch of the inning into left field for a 5-0 lead.

The St. Mary’s product who was acquired from the Yankees in the Frankie Montas trade is a big guy, but not necessarily a big arm. That means the A’s must first determine if Waldichuk is best suited to start or pitch in relief, and he has experience in both roles. Allowing 14 runs in 17 2/3 inning thus far isn’t a successful audition, but he’s shown that he can build on it by minimizing his mistakes.

The first step for Waldichuk? Preparing for his next start, which could come against the playoff-mode Mets and letting go of Sunday, a lengthy lesson applied in a short period of time.

Houston’s Framber Valdez displayed what it supposed to look like, by quieting the A’s bats in a six-inning stint that resulted in his 16th win and Major League-record 25th consecutive quality start. Valdez boosted his Cy Young candidacy by limiting the visitors to two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts.

“There have been some some great pitchers that he surpassed by breaking this record and I’m just glad that he accomplished it and we won the ballgame,” manager Dusty Baker said of Valdez.

The A’s stretch of play against postseason contenders continues on Tuesday at the Coliseum. Seattle’s Luis Castillo will face JP Sears in a 6:40pm start. Manager Mark Kotsay vowed the battle will continue with the Mariners appearance.

“This team has competed all year,” Kotsay said. “We fight. We have shown that. We’re playing some good baseball teams right now that are going to be in the postseason.

“We are going to continue to grind.”