Sacramento A’s Brian Serven slugs a three run home run in the top of the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid in Houston on Sun Aug 23, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

After trailing by six runs after four innings, the Athletics tied the game in the fifth inning and eventually surged ahead on Max Muncy’s solo home run in the seventh on Sunday, as the A’s defeated Houston 7-6.

The A’s won two of their three games in Houston. Muncy hit his home run to left-center off Astros reliever Steven Okert, and Jack Perkins earned his first victory since April.

In the top of the fifth, Donovan Walton led off with a base hit and Darrell Hernaiz walked. Brian Serven followed with a three-run home run, cutting the Astros lead in half.

Henry Bolte singled and, after a strikeout, Zack Gelof was hit by a pitch prior to Lawrence Butler’s run-scoring double. Tommy White delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 6-6.

The Athletics used a bullpen game and Houston scored three runs off opener Brady Basso in the first, including a two-run home run by Jose Altuve.

In the Astros second, Perkins walked the bases loaded and issued an RBI walk to Altuve, making it 4-0. Perkins gave up three hits with six strikeouts and five walks in five innings, but got his first win since April 18.

Hogan Harris earned his 13th save for the Athletics.

The A’s went 2-5 on the seven-game road trip to Kansas City and Houston. The back-to-back losses to the A’s dropped Houston to 65-66 and the Astros and Texas are now tied atop the AL West.

A’s host the Minnesota Twins starting a three game series. Starting pitchers: For Minnesota RHP Zebby Matthews (7-8 ERA 5.12) to Sacramento Jeffrey Springs (3-11 ERA 6.02) first pitch 6:40pm PDT at Sutter Health Park.