Matthew Harrington

Sloppy Sharks See Streak Snapped at four; Lightning light the lamp with 5-1 win

Published on November 8, 2017November 9, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Tampa Bay Lightning’s Vladislav Namestnikov, front left, is greeted by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, in San Jose , Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jerry Feitelberg

To be on the verge of a five-game win streak, many things have to go right for a hockey team. To lose that elusive fifth game in a blowout, lots have to go wrong.

The San Jose Sharks saw their four-game victorious run come to an end Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1, thanks in large part to a number of self-inflicted wounds.

Twice, the Sharks negated power plays by committing penalties on the man-advantage, they lost their defensive assignments and even yielded a goal on an even-strength situation that saw only four skaters in teal on the ice. Even net-minder Martin Jones wasn’t immune, surrendering a goal that top level goalies are expected to make with ease on a nightly basis.

The game opened with the Sharks showing the same traits they had over their winning ways, including taking an early lead. Joonas Donskoi scored his fifth goal of the season, sitting one shy of last season’s total, after picking up the Puck and depositing it past Andrei Vasilevskiy. Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski assisted on the goal just 25 seconds into the game.

The Lightning would score the next four unanswered, starting with Defenseman Jake Dotchin’s first career goal 7:17 into the first. Dotchin was able to pick up a rebound hanging by the far point and beat Jones cleanly on a slap shot to tie the game.

Tampa Bay’s second goal 44 seconds into the second period came just seconds after a Sharks penalty kill when Vladislav Namestnikov pulled the four Sharks skaters on the ice to Jones’ left side. That allowed him to connect on a pass to countryman Nikita Kucherov in the slot. Kucherov doesn’t miss from there often, and he didn’t this time potting his 15th goal of the year. The Sharks were originally on the power play but saw their edge negated after poor backchecking forces a scramble net front and resulted in a holding the stick penalty on Martin Jones.

Jones again found himself at the center of a Tampa goal after Slater Koekkoek was forced to the outside on a rush 9:21 into the second. Koekkoek took a low percentage shot from a hard angle, but this time he was successful with Jones failing to close off the five-hole with one leg parallel to the post and the other flat on the ice.

The worst offense of the night came with the Sharks not recognizing they were playing with just four skaters. Joel Ward hopped onto the ice but Namestnikov still punished San Jose for the Bolts third second period goal and a 4-1 lead with 8 minutes left in the period.

Aaron Dell relieved Jones in the third, but it failed to create a spark for the home team. Instead, Namestnikov scored Tampa’s first powerplay goal of the game 6:14 into the third for his second goal of the game and seventh of the season.

The Sharks get a shot at redemption Saturday when they face the Vancouver Canucks at home as part of a back-to-back weekend. They then travel to Los Angeles for a Sunday tilt.

Sharks Streak at 3 With 4-1 Win Over Western Conf. Champs Nashville

Published on November 1, 2017November 2, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Photo credit: San Jose Sharks

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN JOSE–It wasn’t a perfect night for the San Jose Sharks, but it came pretty close. The Sharks thumped the reigning Western Conference Champions the Nashville Predators 4-1 Wednesday night at the SAP Center, receiving goals from Joonas Donskoi, Joe Pavelski, Mikkel Boedker and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Joe Thorton collected career point number 1,400 on what else but an assist. Joakim Ryan set a franchise record with nine blocked shots for San Jose.

Pavelski dropped the gloves against Ryan Johansen for the team’s first fighting major of the season after Johnasen boarded Vlasic in the third period. Vlasic would not play the remainder of the game after the hit.

San Jose scored the first goal on a tic-tac-toe goal after Donskoi battled along the boards to hang onto the puck. He then fed the puck to Boedker who got the puck to defenseman Tim Heed just outside the faceoff dot to Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne’s left. Heed went cross-crease to give Donskoi the tap-in for his fourth goal of the year with 4:11 left in the first.

Pavelski scored in typical fashion to double the lead in the second period. Pavelski stood in the lane while defenseman Brenden Dillon blasted a point shot on Rinne off a Thornton feed. Pavelski tipped the puck past Rinne for his fourth goal of the season after a slow start. The Thornton pass wound up Jumbo Joe’s 1,400 NHL point.

Nashville’s star defender Roman Josi tied the score just 4 seconds past the halfway mark of the second period, working the puck into an opening using two Sharks as a screen before roofing a backhand over Martin Jones’ shoulder. Vlasic would answer later in the period, scoring the Sharks lone power play goal despite seven man-up opportunities, for a 3-1 lead with 26:10 left in play. Donskoi assisted on the goal for a multi-point night.

Boedker’s goal in the third period broke open a game that was already turning very physical. Both teams combined for 14 penalties in the third, including Pavelski’s fight with Johansen and Johansen’s boarding penalty on Vlasic. Jones finished the night with 19 saves in total while Rinne made 19.

The Sharks look to continue their now four-game win streak when they Welcome the Anaheim Ducks to SAP Center for the first meeting of the season between Pacific Division Foes. The contest will be just the second in-division contest for the Sharks on the year to continue a 5-game homestand with three games remaining at SAP.

Sharks Spoil Marleau’s Return, Heed Emerges in 3-2 Win over Leafs

Published on October 30, 2017October 31, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Toronto Maple Leafs center Patrick Marleau raises his stick to the crowd as he is honored before an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, his former team, Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Matthew Harrington

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Sharks gave Patrick Marleau a near-perfect first trip to the SAP Center for the first time as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs after joining Canada’s team in the offseason. The Sharks played a tribute to Marleau before the game commemorating his two decades in teal then deprived the former Sharks captain and franchise points leader of a cherry on top of his sundae by beating the Leafs 3-2.

Tim Heed, teammates with Marleau for exactly one game last season, wound up the star after all the festivities. The rookie defenseman assisted on the goal and potted another on the power play. Joe Pavelski also scored and Joel Ward picked up the empty-netter, and ultimately the game-winner for San Jose. Auston Matthews scored for the Maple Leafs but his team struggled to just 19 shots against Sharks goalie Martin Jones.

The night opened with a video tribute to Marleau, showcasing some of the forward’s key moments with the club including his draft day, 4-goal period, overtime playoff series winner and many of his 98 game-winning goals. His wife, Christina and 4 children sat right on the glass as the spotlight shined on the former Mr. Shark. It was a perfect way to welcome back a team legend.

“It was extremely special to get an ovation like that,” said Marleau of the minute-and-a-half salute the SAP fans gave him. “To see all the signs and everything, it was really humbling. At the same time it was great to see.”

“It’s something special, something I’ll always remember,” he added.

His former linemate who matched up against him often Monday agreed on the scale of the tribute.

“It was great,” said Joe Thornton. “I had a tear in my eye.”

Once the puck dropped, focus turned to a player still building his resume for a career that should resemble Marleau’s when all is said and done. Auston Matthews, the first overall selection two drafts ago, opened the scoring in the 1^st on a play that proves just how talented he is in just his second season.

The Leafs star got position underneath Logan Couture approaching the Sharks crease, then managed to kick the puck with his right skate to his stick blade on his left side. From there, the goal was wide open for Matthews to pot his 9^th goal of the season and hand Toronto a 1-0 lead with 7:46 left in the 1^st.

Heed helped the Sharks tie the game 7:58 into the middle period, taking a lesson from Brent Burns on point shots. Heed launched a rocket from the point right in Joe Pavelski’s wheelhouse, allowing the captain to tip the puck past Leafs keeper Frederik Andersen. Joe Thornton also assisted on Pavelski’s 3^rd goal of the year to hold sole possession of 20^th place all-time in points.

Heed showed how potent his point blast is 4:11 into the 3^rd on a Sharks power play after the Swede launched an absolute bomb top shelf for a 2-1 San Jose lead and the rookie’s 2^nd career goal.

“I think he’s gotten better and better like our team,” said Shark’s Coach Peter DeBoer. “I think we’ve incorporated some people at different position positions, some young guys, and I think we’ve all been building our game. We’ve been talking about it for 2 or 3 weeks where it’s getting better and I think tonight was our best effort of the unit and that included him”

Joel Ward netted the empty netter with 2:13 left in play, but Nazem Kadri scored with 1:10 left for the final score. The Sharks held on, riding a night of no penalties against them to ground one of the league’s best offenses.

After pulling past .500 for the first time all season, the Sharks have a tough task ahead of the Wednesday night. They’ll welcome the reigning Western Conference champions Nashville at home.

Sharks Win Second Game of Season 5-2, Continue Home Dominance of Habs

Published on October 18, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) trips as he chases after the puck against Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Matthew Harrington

SAN JOSE–When you’ve hit a bit of a skid at home, few teams would want to welcome the winningest franchise in National Hockey League history to the barn to course correct. The San Jose Sharks, on the other hand, would gladly roll out the red carpet for the Montreal Canadiens and their 24 banners. Following a decisive 5-2 win by the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night, the Rogue, Blanc et Bleu remain completely defeated at the SAP Center since 1993.

San Jose entered play winners of only one of their only one of their first four games, but used a two-goal night from Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski’s first goal of the year to thump the Canadiens. Couture led the charge with three points, while Pavelski (1 g, 1a), Joe Thornton (1g, 1a) and Tomas Hertl (1g, 1a) picked up two points each. Tim Heed picked up his first career point on an assist while Martin Jones made 28 saves in the win.

Couture opened the scoring 3:50 into the game, using a fortuitous bounce in the process. Justin Braun ripped a point shot that ricocheted off Hertl’s skate in the slot. Couture was able to corral the puck on the post to goalie Carey Price’s left and work the puck around the All-world goalie for his second of the year.

Montreal answered in a hurry, scoring just 16 seconds later. Offseason trade acquisition Jonathan Drouin proved why he was such a coveted asset, taking Arturri Lehkonen’s pass into the slot up over Jones’ glove on a quick release for his second goal with Montreal.

The Sharks captain sparked a three-goal second period with his first goal of the year just 50 seconds into the middle frame. Pavelski, usually the one stationed in the crease for a goal, benefited from linemate Joe Thornton’s screen of Price. The Plover, Wisc. Native’s wrist shot beat Price for a 2-1 lead.

San Jose added to its lead in the waning moments of a 5-on-3 power play after Tomas Hertl deposited a puck in the blue paint behind Price 8:05 into the middle period. After Shea Weber scored a power play strike of his own 9:23 from the second intermission, Couture restored the Sharks second power play goal of the night at the 13:24 mark.

The Canadiens coach Claude Julien challenged the goal for goaltender interference after Couture managed to score on a scramble. The officials in Toronto deemed the goal good, giving San Jose a 4-2 lead and Tim Heed his first career point. In total, the Sharks went two for seven on the power play while killing off three of four Canadien penalties.

Joe Thornton, robbed of what appeared to be a goalmouth tip on what wound up being Pavelski’s goal, picked up his first of the season eventually. After originally trying to pass to a teammate in true Thornton fashion, the future Hall of Famer hit the empty-netter for a 5-2 Sharks lead.

After a five-game homestand to start the season, the Sharks finally get their first taste of the road. The Sharks face the New Jersey Devils, traveling across three time zones for their first game away from SAP. Puck drops Friday for the contest.

Sharks Win First of Season Thanks to Scoring Depth Beat Sabers 3-2

Published on October 13, 2017October 13, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) is congratulated by teammate Justin Braun after the team’s 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Jerry Feitelberg Sports Radio Service staff

SAN JOSE–Something had to give Thursday night at the SAP Center, with the pointless San Jose Sharks squaring off against the winless Buffalo Sabres. The home team would ultimately prevailing thanks to something they hope will be a calling card this season; scoring depth. The Sharks received a goal each from third-liners Chris Tierney and Timo Meier while second line wing Tomas Hertl potted his first goal of the season as well for Team Teal. Jason Pominville scored a pair of goals in the Sabres 3-2 loss, while superstar center Jack Eichel notched the primary assist on both goals.

The Sharks are struggling to replace the goal-scoring void left when Patrick Marleau and his 508 career goals departed San Jose for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the offseason. After two games, the Sharks boasted just four goals while being outscored 9-4. The third line remedied that with a two-goal, six-point night.

The power play unit would be responsible for the first goal after Tomas Hertl planted himself on the far post. A Kevin Labanc shot-pass from the right side of goaltender Robin Lehner landed on Hertl’s stick for the easy, guiding redirection for a 1-0 2:15 into play. Mikkel Boedker also picked up an assist on the play.

The Sabres would answer back after Jack Eichel dropped a pass into the slot that landed on Pominville’s stick for a dangerous area one-timer. Pominville, the veteran of 908 NHL games, buried his shot for his third goal of the season with 7:34 left in the first.

Tierney , centering the third line with Joel Ward scratched, made the most of his promotion by giving the Sharks a 2-1 lead just under three minutes later, with San Jose heading into the locker room for the first intermission up a goal.

Another piece of deft passing from Eichel pulled Buffalo even. Eichel feathered a pass just past two San Jose sticks to Pominville on the far side of the ice 6:50 into the middle period. Some time would pass before Meier, playing in his second NHL season, would beat Lehner with 5:30 left in the period. Linemates Joonas Donskoi (two assists) and Chris Tierney (one goal, one assist) each nabbed a point on the play.

Neither team scored in the third, with Martin Jones stopping the scant five Buffalo shots he faced in the period for a game total of 23 saves. After a rough two games to open the year, Jones appeared closer to his usual self. Something the Sharks hope will carry over to Saturday’s match-up against the New York Islanders.

Simmonds Hat Trick Spoils Sharks Streak of seven opening game wins in 5-3 loss

Published on October 4, 2017October 5, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Philadelphia Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds (17) celebrates with teammates Valtteri Filppula (51) and Jakub Voracek (93) after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Philadelphia won 5-3. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Matthew Harrington

A Wayne Simmonds hat trick spoiled the San Jose Sharks’ home opener Wednesday night, with the Philadelphia Flyers snapping the Sharks’ seven-game opening game win streak 5-3. Kevin Labanc scored a pair of goals and Logan Couture was gifted another but poor special teams play and miscues cost the Sharks their first game at home.

Netminder Martin Jones produced the season’s first gaffe in the opening period, attempting to clear a puck on his own down the left wing. Instead Jones’ flick of the puck landed on Jakub Voracek’s stick. Voracek’s cross-ice pass to Claude Giroux for a wide-open net put Philly up 1-0 8:28 into play.

Labanc’ s unusual season debut started 10:21 into the 1st when he was sent to the penalty box for goaltender interference. Former LA King Jordan Weal converted just a minute into the man-advantage for a 2-0 lead.

Labanc rebound later in the period, scoring from the same spot in the crease he was previously penalized for occupying on a redirect with 2:43 left in the period. Labanc would score again with 19 seconds left in the 1st.

The young Sharks forward again found himself in the box with 2:32 left in the 2nd, this time falling victim to the NHL’s commitment to tightening up on slashing infractions. Wayne Simmonds redirected a Shayne Gostisbehere point shot past Jones for a 3-2 lead just six seconds into San Jose’s penalty kill.

There was a brief glimmer of hope after Logan Couture banked a puck off Andrew McDonald’s skate and behind Flyers goalie Brian Elliott 3:12 into the third on the power play, but a third Labanc penalty, this time a trip while flailing to the ice, put Philly on the power play 9:21 into the period. Simmonds would score his second of the game five seconds later. Simmonds converted the empty-netter for the hat trick.

The Sharks penalty kill went two for five, while its power play went two for six. Both those figures need to be improved upon drastically heading into a matchup Saturday night with the rival Los Angeles Kings. After that the Sharks have three more home games before their first road test of the season.

Graveman Ends Rangers Streak at four, A’s Win 4-1

Published on September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Oakland Athletics pitcher Blake Treinen works against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

The Oakland A’s snapped the Texas Rangers’ four-game win streak Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum, beating the Rangers 4-1 to dampen their foe’s Wild Card hopes. Kendall Graveman fired seven innings of one-hit ball and Matt Olson hit his 24^th homer of the season.

Graveman scattered just six hits, including a solo homerun to Shin-Soo Choo in the top of the third to pick up his 6^th win of the season. Olson staked Graveman to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second, blasting a right field line drive home run off Rangers starter Nick Martinez that also scored Khris Davis.

The A’s added a run in the bottom of the third after Jed Lowrie’s RBI single, then added another on a Matt Joyce run-scoring single-bagger for a 4-1 lead. Graveman would walk just three and punch out four to hang on for the win.

Chris Hatcher pitched a perfect eighth inning, his 11^th straight scoreless frame, then Blake Treinen managed to walk the tight rope, allowing two hits but striking out two for his 13^th save. The Rangers send Miguel Gonzalez to the hill hoping to cut into the 3.5 game Wild Card deficit Saturday while Oakland counters with Sean Manaea.

A’s Rally for Rare Win At Home Against Astros 9-8

Published on September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Oakland Athletics’ Jed Lowrie, center, is mobbed by teammates after making the game winning hit against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot

By Matthew Harrington

OAKLAND, Calif. – Friday night, the Oakland Athletics looked like they were on their way to the usual ending they get when facing the Houston Astros; a loss. Thanks to some late-inning dramatics from Marcus Semien, Boog Powell and Jed Lowrie, the A’s turned what would have been an 11^th-straight home loss to the Astros into a 9-8 walk-off win.

Lowrie singled home the winning run, Boog Powell hit one of four A’s homers to tie the game in the 9^th and Marcus Semien hit a then game-tying grand slam to help the A’s erase a 7-3 deficit. A’s starter Jharel Cotton allowed six runs on 3 homers, but Houston starter Collin McHugh departed his start just 3 innings in after suffering from a right middle finger avulsion.

Powell opened the 9^th facing fireballing closer Ken Giles (1-3, 2.63 ERA) with the A’s trailing 8-7. He quickly fell behind 0-2 on a pair of fastballs before hitting his second homer of the year to right field on a slider from the Astros closer.

“I just wanted to get on base,” said Powell. “I knew he had the heater, and he throws hard, so I was just trying to go the other way with it, then he threw me a slider right where I liked it, and it ended up going out.”

Oakland continued to rally after Semien singled and Matt Joyce walked. Lowrie flared a Giles offering to center field that Cameron Maybin originally charged in on. He pulled up, and with Marcus Semien going half-way to 3^rd base already, failed to get the ball to home plate in time to stop Oakland’s short stop from scoring the winning run.

The A’s needed to rally after Blake Treinen (2-6, 4.48) gave up a run in the stop of the 9^th. Josh Reddick doubled home George Springer with two outs to take a 8-7 lead, one of 4 RBIs for the former Oakland Athletic.

Reddick’s run would have been just an insurance run for a cushy Houston lead if not for Semien’s bases-loaded shot in the bottom of the 7^th off another former Athletic, Luke Gregerson. Semien’s no-doubter, his 6^th of the year, as his first long ball since July 8^th.

“That’s what last year I did a lot more of. I’m just trying to hit the ball hard,” said Semien. “When you get pitches to drive out of the ballpark it’s always nice to do it. It just hasn’t been happening as often this year.”

The Astros were cruising to the win despite McHugh’s early exit thanks to a trio of homers off A’s starter Jharel Cotton. Jose Altuve, Josh Reddick and Yuli Gurriel all hit two-run shots off Cotton in his 5 innings of work, with Reddick also doubling a run off Cotton.

“He’s got to get the ball down,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin. “He has to keep the ball in the ballpark.”

Oakland trailed 7-3 when Cotton exited the game thanks to homers from Matt Chapman (two runs) and Matt Joyce to stay afloat against McHugh before being shut down by Houston’s pen for the next 3 innings.

Saturday the A’s send a pair of Daniels to the mound in a true traditional double-header. Daniel Gosset gets the ball in game one, while former Astros farmhand Daniel Mengden toes the rubber in game two. The Astros counter with Charlie Morton and former Sacramento Rivercat Brad Peacock.

‘Khrush’ Crushes ‘Tricky’ Pitcher, ‘Digger’ Buries Rangers Bats in 3-1 A’s Win

Published on August 25, 2017August 25, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Oakland Athletics’ Khris Davis, right, is congratulated by third base coach Steve Scarsone (15) after hitting a home run off Texas Rangers’ Nick Martinez during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot

By Matthew Harrington

OAKLAND, Calif. — Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum Khrush raked a pair of homers off Tricky and Digger pitched a masterful outing to lift the A’s over the Texas Rangers 3-1. B-Locky nailed down his 9^th save, and no, this contest wasn’t decided by professional wrestlers, monster trucks or wackily-named mascots.

With the inaugural Players’ weekend underway, Major Leaguers wore special uniforms with the nicknames of their choosing on the back and a patch of the player’s favorite charity on the sleeve to raise awareness. So while any other day, Khris Davis would have picked up the double-dinger night and Kendall Graveman the win, instead we get the Khrush and Digger show.

“I better live up to that name,” said Davis of his moniker. “It was fun. I’d just like to turn into that character when I’m on the field.”

Graveman (4-4, 4.24 ERA) pitched a strong 7 innings, allowing 9 hits while striking out 6 Rangers. He gave up an RBI single to Adrian Beltre in the first inning, but was sparkling over the remainder of his outing for the win.

He had to battle Rangers starter Nick Martinez (3-5, 5.26) all night though. “Tricky” lived up to his name, allowing only one hit over the first 6 innings. That lone hit would be Davis’ 35^th homer, a shot that barely cleared the yellow line over the left centerfield out-of-town scoreboard.

Three innings later, Davis would take Martinez out to the deepest part of the part, launching a 2-0 fastball just next to the Holy Toledo sign in centerfield for a 2-1 A’s lead.
“He’s always one swing away from doing what he does best,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin

Matt Chapman also tagged Martinez for a run after singling home Matt Joyce after the outfield doubled earlier in the inning. Chapman would be thrown out at second trying to stretch the single, closing the book on Martinez after going 7 innings with just 4 hits.

Chris Hatcher pitched a scoreless 8^th, then Blake Treinen closed out the game with pair of punchouts in the 9^th for his 9^th save of the season.

Saturday Melvin turns to Da Kid, Sean Manaea to help the A’s take the W in the weekend series. Texas sends Cole Hamels to the mound with Hollywood looking for his 10^th win of the year.

Astros Keuchel Runs A’s Into The Ground, Stros Win 3-1

Published on August 18, 2017August 19, 2017 by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches in the top of the seventh inning against Oakland Athletics. Houston Astros host the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

Sean Manaea improved drastically on the worst star of his Oakland A’s career, bouncing back from a one out showing his last time out to last six innings against the AL’s best team, the Houston Astros. Despite going 6, Manaea (8-8, 4.58 ERA) surrendered a pair of homers to wind up the hard-luck loser against Astros ace Dallas Keuchel 3-1.

Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve took the Throwin’ Samoan deep in the third inning, while former Athletic Josh Reddick plated a run in the sixth of the A’s starter. Keuchel (11-2, 2.58) didn’t allow a run over his seven innings of work, yielding just three hits with one walk. He was highly efficient, walking only one while striking out three. He produced 16 groundouts without allowing a single fly out.

The A’s finally found a run in the eighth after the Houston Cy Young candidate departed the game. Matt Joyce launched his 18^th homer of the year off reliever Chris Devenski to break up the shutout. Ken Giles pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings, punching out three to pick up his 24^th save.

The A’s send Ace-Incumbent Kendall Graveman to the mound Saturday to face the winless Collin McHugh. Jharel Cotton takes the mound Sunday against Brad Peacock.