Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof gets the force on the Houston Astros runner Jose Abreau (79) but Gelof makes a throwing error to first in the top of the fourth inning. Gelof made up for it later breaking up Astros pitcher Cristian Javier’s no hitter in the sixth inning and getting his first MLB home run in the seventh inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Jul 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

OAKLAND, Calif.– The World Champion Houston Astros (55-44) took an “L” from the struggling Oakland Athletics (28-73) , losing 4-1 on a Saturday Evening in the Bay. Oakland snapped their eight game skid with the victory.

In Game # 99 for the Astros, the first five innings were uneventful and scoreless. As for the Athletics, they weren’t able to even get a hit through that segment of time. After five complete innings, 0-0.

The Top of the sixth changed the theme of the game, when Houston’s third baseman Alex Bregman belted a homer to left field, chasing A’s Paul Blackburn from the game after a base hit and walk. However, the Oakland relief pitcher, Austin Pruitt forced an inning-ending double play, keeping the game close, 1-0 Astros.

In the Bottom of Stanza Number six, the A’s flipped the script, by ending the no-hitter (Zack Gelof), chasing the starting pitcher, and taking a lead 2-1 on a two-RBI base hit by third baseman Jace Peterson. He knocked in Gelof and first baseman Seth Brown.

Gelof was at it again in the bottom of the seventh, as he blasted a solo dinger to right center to give Oakland a comfortable 3-1 lead after seven.

The Athletics were not finished scoring, as they tallied another run on the scoreboard on a home run blast by Seth Brown. After 8, 4-1 Oakland.

That was all Oakland needed, as they slammed the door shut in the top of the ninth, despite a near three-run homer by the Astros. Athletics win 4-1!

The two teams will play the series finale Sunday Afternoon (1:07 PDT), with projected starters: Astros RHP Hunter Brown (6-7, 4.24) vs. A’s Luis Medina (3-7, 5.79).