Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the first inning against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park on September 25, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The A’s and Astros were back in action on the final Friday night of the regular season at 6:40 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. After the Astros’ win over the A’s on Thursday night, Houston was tied for the AL West lead with the Texas Rangers entering play on Friday and desperately needing a win.
The A’s continued to play spoiler in the American League on Friday as they defeated the Astros, 6-5.
Jacob Lopez took the ball for the A’s in his final start of the 2026 season. It was Lopez’s 27th appearance for the A’s and his 24th start of the 2026 season. Lopez pitched masterfully as he turned in one of his best starts of the year. Lopez went six innings of one-run baseball as he allowed only two hits and walked two while striking out four. The only real blemish for Lopez was a fourth-inning solo home run he gave up to Christian Walker. Otherwise, Lopez turned in an outing he would certainly be happy to end the season with.
In the seventh inning, the A’s went with right-hander Seth Johnson to be first out of the bullpen in relief of Lopez. Johnson pitched a solid inning, but he was bitten by the home run bug as he gave up a solo home run to Cam Smith with two outs. However, that was all he gave up in an otherwise clean inning in which he struck out one.
In the eighth inning, it was Geoff Hartlieb who came in for the A’s in hopes of keeping the game where it was. Hartlieb ran into trouble in the eighth as he gave up two hits to the first three batters he faced, followed by a walk. That was all Mark Kotsay needed to see as he went to his bullpen again with the bases loaded.
Luis Medina was next out of the A’s bullpen, hoping to come in and clean up Hartlieb’s mess. Medina couldn’t get that job done as he allowed all three of his inherited runners to score before getting out of the inning. So, Medina’s line looks okay, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Medina went two-thirds of an inning and gave up one hit, one walk, and struck out one. No runs were charged to Medina. Hartlieb’s final line wasn’t so kind as he went one-third of an inning while allowing three runs on one hit, walking two and striking out one.
With the A’s lead down to one run, Mark Kotsay called on Hogan Harris for the save in the ninth inning. Harris gave up a one-out walk, but faced the minimum as he induced a double play and struck out the only other batter he faced. With the save, Harris recorded his 17th save of the season, which marked only the second time a left-handed pitcher has recorded 17 saves for the A’s.
On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s scored a total of six runs on eight hits while being gifted four free passes from the Astros’ pitching.
The A’s scored their first runs of the game in the sixth inning as pinch hitter Michael Stefanic came up big with a two-run single. The single drove in Jeff McNeil and Zack Gelof, who reached base prior, and gave the A’s their first lead of the ballgame.
Two batters later, it was Jonah Heim who added to the lead with an RBI single to left field. Heim’s single scored pinch runner Denzel Clarke and gave Heim his 43rd RBI of the year.
As the sixth inning continued, the A’s offense also continued to damage the Astros and their playoff chances. Henry Bolte laced a two-RBI triple to right field to pile on and give the A’s their fourth and fifth runs of the inning. It was the second triple of the year for Bolte and RBIs 37 and 38.
Lawrence Butler decided to get in on the action next as he drove in Henry Bolte from third on a fielder’s choice that Bolte beat out at the plate. It was the 62nd RBI of the year for Butler and the A’s sixth run of the inning.
The A’s and Astros will play game three of their four-game series on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s will send Jack Perkins (3-12, 5.90 ERA) to the mound to start the game as the Astros will counter with Hayden Wesneski (5-2, 3.50 ERA). The Astros and Rangers remain tied for the AL West crown with just two games remaining for both teams.
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.
