Oakland Athletics’ Esteury Ruiz (1) scores as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado kneels behind home plate during the sixth inning at Minute Maid Field on Sat May 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

A’s Fall Short To Astros In Game Two 3-2

By Barbara Mason

After being dominated Friday night in game one, the Oakland A’s (10-37) lost a close one on the field at Minute Maid Park to the Houston Astros (26-19) in game two of their series 3-2.

Game one of this series was a close one through the first five innings. Game two mirrored yesterdays game through five innings as well.

Saturday game recap: The Astros got a couple of runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead to get this game off to a great start for Houston. Yordan Alvarez hit a sacrifice fly to center and Jose Altuve scored for the 1-0 lead. Kyle Tucker singled Alex Bregman home and the Astros had a 2-0 lead.

Oakland would get one back in the fourth inning. Brent Rooker singled allowing Ryan Noda to score and the A’s were back in this game trailing by a single run 2-1.

The A’s tied up this game in the sixth inning 2-2. Esteury Ruiz stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by Houston catcher Martin Maldonado. This was the 22nd steal for Ruiz. Ryan Noda then sacrificed to center and Ruiz scored for the tie game It was a brand new ball game.

Through the first six innings JP Sears was having a nice outing. The fifth inning was a 1,2,3 inning for him as was inning six and he was cruising. He finished the game with five hits, two runs and seven strikeouts in a solid showing. It was a shaky start for him with 37 pitches in the first inning, having to dig himself out of a deep hole, but he did it and went on to retire 17 batters in a very solid and deep Houston lineup. Adrian Martinez relieved Sears in the seventh inning.

The eighth inning was a replay of the sixth inning. Again Ruiz stole second base and advanced, on a Maldonado throwing error, to third base and the A’s had the go ahead run on third.

Oakland missed a great scoring opportunity and they would pay. The Astros Yordan Alvarez was first at the plate in the bottom of the eighth and he hit a 392 foot home run to give the Astros a 3-2 lead. It was his tenth home run of the year.

The Astros dismissed the A’s in order and the final was 3-2 in favor of Houston. It was a hard fought game, a very competitive game but the A’s came up just short.

James Kaprielian (0-3 ERA 10.17) will take the mound for the A’s tomorrow in game three. Framber Valdez will be on the hill for the Astros. Framber has a 3-4 W-L record and a 2.84 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 11.10 AM.