Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the third inning against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park on September 23, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics embarked on the final week of the season on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park when they took on the Astros at 7 p.m. PST. In a game with playoff implications for the Astros as they try to gain ground on the AL West-leading Mariners, the A’s defeated the Astros 5-1.

Jeffrey Springs got the ball for the A’s and didn’t disappoint. Springs, who pitched brilliantly in his previous outing in Boston, turned in five innings of one-run, three-hit baseball against the Astros on Tuesday. Springs struck out three Astros and walked only two in his outing, which lowered his ERA to 4.11 for the season. It was good to see Springs put together a few solid outings to end the season and put himself back on solid ground after a bit of a rough stretch recently.

The bullpen

The A’s used three relievers in the game to finish off what Springs started in the victory.

Tyler Ferguson, who has been a mainstay for the A’s all season in the bullpen, tossed scoreless sixth and seventh innings for the A’s. Ferguson didn’t allow a hit or a walk in his two-strikeout appearance.

Justin Sterner came on to pitch the eighth inning for Mark Kotsay and delivered a scoreless frame, with his only blemish being a walk.

Michael Kelly came on to close things out as he tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to end the game.

The bats

The A’s kept a stream of pressure on the Astros offensively all night, collecting nine hits and five runs in the contest.

Brent Rooker got the A’s on the board first when the Astros’ starting pitcher made an error on a popup to allow Nick Kurtz to score with two outs in the inning.

Darrell Hernaiz got the A’s their second run of the game on an RBI single that scored Jacob Wilson in the fourth inning to give the A’s a 2-1 lead.

The A’s added two more runs in the fifth inning when Tyler Soderstrom laced an RBI double, and Jacob Wilson singled him home one batter later to give the A’s a 4-1 advantage.

In the eighth inning, the A’s scored their last run when Carlos Cortes hit a sac fly to score Wilson and extend the lead to 5-1 heading into the ninth inning.

Wilson did not record an out on Tuesday as he went 2-for-2 with two walks and remained in the hunt for the MLB batting title. After play ended on Tuesday, Wilson had a .318 average, seven points back of Aaron Judge, who was at .325 heading into the final week of the season.

Up next

The A’s will take on the Astros in game two of their three-game set on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PST. Luis Severino (7-11, 4.72 ERA) is slated to go for the A’s, while the Astros will send Hunter Brown (12-8, 2.30 ERA) to the mound.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.