Houston Astros’ Dusty Baker Jr., left, greets Oakland Athletics’ Aledmys Diaz to present him his 2022 World Series Championship ring before before a baseball game Friday, May 19, 2023, in Houston. (AP News photo)

A’s Drop Game One In Houston 5-1

By Barbara Mason

Thursday the Oakland A’s (10-36) had the day off before traveling to Houston to take on the Astros (25-19) in a three-game series. The A’s lost their last series against the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 while the Astros swept the Chicago Cubs in their three-game series.

This was a challenging series opener for Oakland dropping game one 5-1 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. With the win the Astros have won eight of their last ten games.

Friday game recap: Houston scored first in the second inning of this game when Jose Abreu scored. Jeremy Pena had grounded into a fielder’s choice to give the Astros the early 1-0 lead.

The A’s would tie up the game in the third inning 1-1. Shea Langeliers doubled driving in Esteury Ruiz.

Houston took take back the lead in the fourth inning 2-1. Kyle Tucker doubled in Yordan Alvarez and the Astros began to flex their offensive muscle.

Houston added onto their lead in the sixth inning. Kyle Tucker knocked one out of the park with Jose Abreu onboard and the Astros had taken a 4-1 lead. Oakland pitcher Ken Waldichuk was forced to leave the game in the sixth inning with what appeared to be a possible hamstring injury. He had already thrown 91 pitches when he left the game.

Austin Pruitt would take over on the mound for Waldichuk in the sixth inning. He had a rough start loading the bases but got out of it allowing two hits but no runs. That score would remain going into the eighth inning.

In the eighth inning, an Oakland error advanced Jake Meyers to third base followed by an Alex Bregman single that drove Meyers home. With the score 5-1, the A’s had one last chance as they went into the top of the ninth inning. Oakland went quietly into the night only managing one hit in the ninth The Astros would hold on for the win.

The A’s continue to struggle as they go into game two of this series tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 pm PT. JP Sears will take the mound for the A’s with 0-3 record and a 5.27 ERA. They will be facing Houston’s Hunter Brown who has a 4-1 record and a 3.43 ERA.