Tag: Houston Astros

Willie MacIver almost single-handedly snaps A’s 11-game losing streak in major league debut, as A’s top Phillies 5-4 in finale

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Sacramento A’s catcher Willie MacIver throws the ball to the pitcher in the top of the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun May 25, 2025

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Sutter Health Park

West Sacramento, California

Philadelphia Phillies 4 (34-19)

Sacramento Athletics 5 (23-31)

Win: Tyler Ferguson (1-2)

Loss: Matt Strahm (1-3)

Save: Mason Miller (12)

Time: 2:19

Attendance: 10,068

By Stephen Ruderman

WEST SACRAMENTO–New A’s catcher Willie MacIver was the hero in his major league debut, as the A’s snapped their 11-game losing streak in dramatic fashion in a wild seesaw game that saw comebacks and ejections, and at the end, the A’s beat the Phillies 5-4 Sunday.

It wasn’t just the 11-game losing streak. The A’s have been horrible at their rental home here in West Sacramento, as they came into Sunday’s game 8-19 at home.

Gunnar Hoglund took the ball for Oakland, ahem I meant Sacramento, Sunday. Hoglund got off to a nice start with a one, two, three top of the first inning, with all three outs being flyouts.

The A’s certainly looked like a team taking out their anger over an 11-game losing streak on Phillies’ starter Jesus Luzardo in the bottom of the first. It started when Jacob Wilson clubbed the first pitch of the day from Luzardo for a home run off the clubhouse buildings out in left field.

Brent Rooker followed Wilson’s home run with a base-hit to left, and Miguel Andujar lined a base-hit to center with one out. With two outs, Logan Davidson shot a two-run double off the wall out in left-center to make it 3-0.

The A’s came out swinging, and something definitely felt different in that bottom of the first. However, there was still a long way to go, and the A’s would have to fight with every fiber in their being to snap the skid.

The Phillies would get on the board and plate a run without a hit in the top of the second. Brandon Marsh led off the top of the third with a double over the glove of A’s center-fielder Denzel Clarke, and into the gap in right-center. Two batters later, Trae Turner grounded a base-hit up the middle to center, which scored Marsh to make it 3-2.

The A’s wasted an opportunity to further add on to their lead against Luzardo in the bottom of the second. From there, Luzardo settled down for the most part.

Hoglund settled back down to throw a one, two, three, inning in the top of the fourth. However, the Phillies manufactured a run in the top of the fifth to tie it. It would be the end of the line for Hoglund, who gave up three runs and four hits over five innings.

The A’s finally had a rally going against Luzardo in the bottom of the seventh, as they put runners at first and second with one out. Tyler Soderstrom was unable to get the job done, as he flew out to right for the second out, and both runners had to hold.

Then when Miguel Andujar came up, things got a little spicy. The first pitch to Andujar was a called strike right on the outside corner that may have been a bit generous. When Mark Kotsay voiced his displeasure with Home Plate Umpire Roberto Ortiz from the A’s dugout, Ortiz gave Kotsay the boot. Kotsay came out and said his piece, and then he made the long trek to the A’s clubhouse beyond the left field fence.

Andujar ended up striking out on three pitches. On his way back to the dugout, Andujar had some choice words for Ortiz, and Andujar was tossed as well.

Luzardo would be done after seven for the Phillies. Despite giving up nine hits and the three-run bottom of the first, Luzardo walked just seven and struck out ten. Not a bad day on the mound.

With one out in the top of the eighth, Trea Turner hit a home run to left off Hogan Harris to give the Phillies their first lead of the day. The A’s were now six outs away from being swept and losing their 12th-straight.

Phillies Manager Rob Thomson brought in Matt Straham for the bottom of the eighth. Straham retired the first man he faced, as he got Luis Urias to fly out to center. However, Logan Davidson walked, and then Lawrence Butler lined a triple down the right field line to tie the game.

It was suddenly now a brand-new game. Up came A’s catcher Willie MacIver, who got the start behind the plate in his major league debut today. MacIver came up 0-for-3, but the fourth time would be a charm, as he flipped a base-hit to right-center to knock Butler in and put the A’s back ahead.

Mason Miller came in for the top of the ninth and set down the first guys he faced. Of course, the Phillies would not make it easy, as Alec Bohm reached on an infield hit with two outs to extend the game for Brandon Marsh.

Johan Rojas came in to pinch-run for Bohm at first. On the first pitch to Marsh—which missed up and away for ball one—Rojas broke for second, but he was called out by Second Base Umpire and Crew Chief Bill Miller after a perfect strike from MacIver behind the plate.

The Phillies challenged with nothing to lose, and the call was confirmed. In his major league debut, Willie MacIver almost single-handedly snapped the A’s 12-game losing streak. Welcome to the big leagues, kid!

Tyler Ferguson, who finished off the top of the eighth for Oakland, got the win; Matt Straham took the loss; and Mason Miller picked up his 12th save.

The A’s get their 23rd win and improve to 23-31.

The A’s will hit the road for a six-game road trip, which will feature two in Houston Tuesday and Wednesday, and then four north of the border in Toronto against the Blue Jays starting on Thursday.

The A’s will be off on Memorial Day Monday, but they will begin their two-gamer against the Astros in Houston on Tuesday with JP Sears (4-4, 4.00 ERA) on the hill. Hunter Brown (6-3, 2.04 ERA) will counter for Houston.

First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. in Houston, 5:10 p.m. back wherever the A’s call home in Northern California.

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants off to a hitting start; SF home opener Friday at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos (17) is thrilled about hitting a double off the Houston Astros in the top of the second inning at Daikin Park in Houston on Wed Apr 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores, Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr all hit home runs as the Giants defeated the Houston Astros 6-3 at Daikin Park in Houston on Wednesday. The win help complete a three game sweep.

#2 This is the fourth time that Flores has hit a homer this season and has hit only four last season in 71 games. Flores is tied with a pretty good circle of hitters for home runs Aaron Judge, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki for second most home runs in MLB.

#3 Flores didn’t waste anytime getting things started in the first inning with his home run in the top of the first putting the ball in the left field seats off Astros starter Framber Valdez. The Matos home run was a blast to center field and made it 3-0.

#4 The Giants Heliot Ramos hit a double with an out and now has a six game extra base streak going that started this season. Ramos tied former Giant Felipe (1963). Ramos’ double scored two runs to make it 5-0.

#5 The Giants return from their road trip to host the Seattle Mariners at Oracle Park in San Francisco for a 1:35pm PDT first pitch. Starter for the Mariners Bryce Miller 0-1 ERA 4.76 for the Giants Justin Verlander 0-0 ERA 3.60.

Join Morris for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Beat Astros In Series Sweep 6-3 at Daikin Park

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez in the top of the first inning. Flores is greeted by third base coach Matt Williams (9). (AP News photo)

San Francisco’s Wilmer Flores continues to hit those deep balls with teammates Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr. chiming in Wednesday hitting a couple of their own as they beat the Houston Astros in a sweep, 6-3 in the finale at Daikin Park in Houston.

The Giants finished the game with six hits and six runs and it doesn’t get any better than that. It has been a great start for San Francisco who now will head home to Oracle with a 5-1 record.

Game recap: San Francisco could not have asked for a better start in this game. They got started early and kept the pressure on the Astros from the get go. Wilmer Flores continued the great series he has been having hitting a home run in the first inning with Willy Adames on base taking a 2-0 lead.

There was no letdown for the Giants hitting their second home run of the game in the second inning off the bat of Luis Matos, a solo shot giving San Francisco a 3-0 lead. There was more from San Francisco in the same inning when Heliot Ramos doubled base runners Tyler Fitzgerald and Mike Yastrzemski home and the Giants had struck again taking a 5-0 lead.

The Astros got on the board in bottom of the second inning scoring one run. Zach Dezenzo singled Jeremy Pena home for their only run of the game so far still trailing significantly 5-1. Although early in the game the Giants were putting up a great offensive effort against Astro pitcher Framber Valdez which is not an easy task. Valdez did have five strikeouts but he did allow four hits and five earned going five innings.

Houston scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning cutting the Giants lead more than in half 5-3 giving the Astros new life. Yordan Alvarez singled base runners Jose Altuve and Chas McCormick home. Houston still had four innings left to do some more damage but needed their defense to keep the Giants off the board in the later innings.

The Giants had five scoreless innings but struck again in the eighth inning with a LaMonte Wade Jr. home run, San Francisco’s third deep ball of the game. Relief pitching kept the Astros off the board for the final four innings and the Giants had their first sweep of the season 6-3.

Even though the Astros had more hits in the game than San Francisco they did not capitalize on those hits and their season record fell to 2-4. San Francisco now has a 5-1 season record as they now head home for their home opener on Friday night. This will be an especially special game for fans as they not only celebrate their first home game of the season but also 25 years at Oracle Park.

San Francisco starting pitcher Landen Roupp had a good game with a lot confidence. He has a great curve ball although as the innings wore on that pitch at times became predictable thus allowing those runs from the Astros. He allowed four hits and three earned runs with eight strikeouts.

Game notes: Wednesday the Giants took on the Astros in game three of their series getting the sweep after winning games one and two. On the mound for the Giants was Landen Roupp who pitched effective baseball against the Astros. The Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched five innings giving up four hits and five runs. The Giants have had a great start on this young season and kept it going in this series.

Going home to Oracle for the home opener on Friday, the Giants will welcome the Seattle Mariners to San Francisco for a three game series. The festivities are slated to start at 1:35 PM in a day-game matchup with 40,000 plus fans on hand.

Seattle will start Bryce Miller 0-1 ERA 4.76. For San Francisco Justin Verlander 0-0 ERA 3.60 looking for a better start than he had against the Reds in the 3-2 loss last Saturday, not the debut he wanted.

Giants Take Series Lead Beating Astros 3-1

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb delivers against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Tue Apr 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

The San Francisco Giants (4-1) won their third straight game in a row beating the Houston Astros (2-3) 3-1. The Giants only had four hits cashing in for three runs and Houston had seven hits in the game but only the one run. Heliot Ramos had the only home run of the game as San Francisco now has a 4-1 season record.

Game recap: Both pitchers breezed through the first and second innings. Logan Webb allowed one hit in the two innings and Hayden Wesneski had not allowed a single hit.

The Giants got something going in the third inning when Astro pitcher Wesneski walked two runners, Patrick Bailey and Christian Koss, in a row with no outs and the top of the lineup coming to bat. San Francisco was looking at a golden opportunity.

The top of the batting order LaMonte Wade Jr. struck out for the first out in the inning but Willy Adames hit a line drive to left field driving Bailey and Koss home and the Giants had a 2-0 lead. Jung Hoo Lee lined out and Matt Chapman struck out for the third out. The Astros had one hit in the third inning but a strikeout and a double play sent the game into the fourth inning.

The Giants extended their lead in the fourth inning when Heliot Ramos homered to left and San Francisco had a 3-0 advantage. The Astros got out of the inning but there was some action in the Houston bullpen as Taylor Scott warmed up indicating possible changes in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Astros got on the board off the bat of the veteran Jose Altuve who homered to left and it was a 3-1 ball game.

The game headed into the fifth inning and Wesneski remained on the mound for Houston. Neither team scored and it was on to the sixth inning, in fact the fifth, sixth and seventh innings were quiet for both teams. Through seven innings the Giants had three hits cashing in on all of them and Houston had seven.

The Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers took over on the mound in the eighth inning giving up two hits but got out of the inning. The Giants continued to lead 3-1 going into the ninth inning. Other than a Houston pitcher error, Astro pitcher Bryan King struck out Wilmer Flores, Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt and Houston had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was a three and out for Houston and that was the ball game with San Francisco winning their third game in a row 3-1.

Game notes: Tuesday evening the Giants faced the Astros in game two of their series. While it is early in the season, the Giants have already shown some encouraging improvement over last season. Since their season opener they have scored 21 runs some of which came on a two out count. They have been bringing base runners home and not leaving them stranded.

Saturday the Giants starter Logan Webb went to the mound and pitched five innings giving up seven hits and a run. The Astros righty Hayden Wesneski pitched five innings, giving up two hits and three runs.

Game three of this series is slated for a 1:10 PM PDT first pitch. Landen Roupp will take the mound for the Giants with a 3.58 ERA. The Astros will be looking to pitcher Framber Valdez to salvage at least one game in this series.

San Francisco Wins Series Opener Against Houston 7-2

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San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores right celebrates his three home run with Patrick Bailey (14) at Daikin Park in Houston on Mon Mar 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (3-1) had a great start to their three game series with the Houston Astros (2-2) winning the opener 7-2. They outhit the Astros 9-3 scoring in four innings. Unlike last season they are not leaving runners stranded when in scoring position.

They are getting on base via hits, steals and walks so they are getting the job done. Wilmer Flores had his second home run of the season with four RBI’s and Jung Hoo Lee continues to impress with two more runs scored.

Game recap: San Francisco was first up on the scoreboard in the second inning taking a 1-0 lead. Wilmer Flores singled Heliot Ramos home and the Giants were off and running. They would strike again in the fifth inning scoring a single run extending their lead to 2-0. LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a sacrifice fly sending Mike Yastrzemski home for their second run of the game.

After Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco allowed the two runs in the second and fifth innings he was relieved by Luis Contreras on the mound. He went five innings allowing three hits, two runs with six strikeouts.

The Giants really piled it on in the sixth inning scoring three runs. Wilmer Flores hit a three-run home run with Jung Hoo Lee and Patrick Bailey on base and San Francisco took a 5-0 lead going into the seventh inning.

The Giants had seven hits in the game while the Astros had only one hit. After the sixth inning Astros relief pitcher Luis Contreras was finished allowing three hits and three runs. Ryan Gusto would take over on the mound.

The Astros stepped it up in the eighth inning scoring two runs trailing 2-5. Isaac Paredes doubled driving both Jose Altuve and Cam Smith home. The Giants lead prevailed going into the ninth inning.

The Giants threatened in the ninth with runners on second and third, two outs and Matt Chapman at the plate. Chapman singled and two more San Francisco runners crossed home plate for a 7-2 lead.

Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee both scored on the Chapman single. San Francisco had nine hits in this game. The Astros had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ryan Walker took the mound to try and close this game out for the Giants.

Ryan was perfect closing out the game for the win. He did have one walk in the inning. San Francisco had won the first game of this three game series 7-2.

Jordan Hicks set the stage for this win. He went six innings, allowing one hit with six strikeouts in a great showing tonight. San Francisco has had more success scoring with runners in scoring position which so far this season has been a nice improvement.

Matt Chapman has been a huge offensive and defensive weapon with stellar play at third base. Wilmer Flores hit his second home run of the season and the team came away with nine hits in the game. The Giants stole three bases in this game, two of which resulted in runs so this team is getting on base whether it be through hits, walks or steals. They are getting the job done.

Game notes: After winning their series with the Cincinnati Reds this past weekend, the Giants took on the Astros in Houston to open a three game series on Monday night. Jordan Hicks took the mound for the Giants Monday night and pitched one hit ball for six innings before being lifted. Starter for Houston was Ronel Blanco went three innings and gave up of three hits and three runs.

Tuesday night the Giants and Astros will clash in game two of this series. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM. Probable pitchers for Tuesday’s game are slated to be Logan Webb for the Giants with a 5.40 ERA and for Houston Hayden Wesneski will take the mound.

Headline Sports with Charlie O: All games will not be sell outs in Sacramento; Jays sign Guerrero Jr for $28.5 million for one year; plus more news

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Sutter Health Park the interim home of the Sacramento A’s between 2025-2027 is sold out of season tickets. Each home game is expected to be sold out for 2025 with a capacity of 14,000. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 The incoming Sacramento A’s have announced they have sold out all their season tickets for their first interim year in Sacramento. Sutter Health Field where the Athletics will play is expected to be sold out for every game this season.

#2 When the A’s move to Las Vegas the A’s are hoping that will be the same goal sell outs for every single home game when they move there for their target date 2028.

#3 The Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr have come to an agreement avoiding salary arbitration when Guerrero had agreed on a $28.5 million one year deal. Guerrero hit .323, 199 hits, 30 home runs, and 103 RBIs.

#4 The Houston Astros are relieved to reach a deal with left hand pitcher Framber Valdez in a contract worth $18 million for one season. Valdez was 15-7 with an ERA 2.91 last season. The Astros were hoping to hold onto some of their key pitchers going into the 2025 season.

#5 Major League Baseball has banned the two fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Mookie Betts when Betts was reaching over into the first base stands at Yankees Stadium for a pop foul. One fan pried open his glove with the ball in it and the other tried to hold onto Betts right hand when he was resisting the two fans trying to get the baseball. For their trouble the two fans Austin Capobianco and John P Hansen have been banned from all MLB events and game indefinitely according to MLB.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Tigers get all the runs they need in 2nd inning in 3-1 win; Royals Witt with RBI helps defeat O’s 1-0 in game 1; plus more Wild Card news

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Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal (29) is stoked after striking out Houston Astros Yanier Diaz in the bottom of the sixth inning at the AL Wild Card Game in Minute Maid Field at Houston on Tue Oct 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, just wanted to ask you about the four MLB Wild Card games being played today and see if you can share your thoughts about today’s results. We’ll start with the Detroit Tigers who played the Houston Astros today at Minute Maid Field in the AL Wild Card game. Framber Valdez started for the Astros and Tigers did all the damage against Valdez in the top of the second inning scoring three runs coming away with a 3-1 win in game 1.

#2 The Royals and Orioles battled for the second AL Wild Card game at Camden Yards. The Royals came away with a 1-0 shutout to defeat the Orioles at Camden Yards. The Royals Bobby Witt has been doing it all season Tuesday he drove in the winning run and Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragan pitched six innings of shutout ball to close down the Orioles in game 1.

#3 The New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers might be a tight match at American Family Park in Milwaukee.

#4 The Atlanta Braves will be starting SJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0, 0.00) and the San Diego Padres will be starting Michael King (13-9, 2.95) Shawyer will be pitching against one of baseball’s best teams the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O and Brian Burkett: White Sox owner Reinsdorf getting heat from fans; Marlins manager Schumaker out after Sunday; plus more MLB news

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Chicago White Sox Andrew Vaughn (25) walks off the field after loosing to the Detroit Tigers. The Sox surpassed the 1962 New York Mets for the most loses in the modern era with 121 on Fri Sep 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headlines Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie O, well the Chicago White Sox did it they set the all time record for most loses at 121 in the modern era as the Sox eclipsed the 1962 New York Mets loss record at 120. The Sox losing to the Detroit Tigers on Friday night 4-1. Needless to say the criticism of the state of the team is being blamed on White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

#2 Charlie you were there for that last historic game in Oakland where the A’s played their last one in Oakland history last Thursday. I know what you said about Sacramento is a sure thing but some reporters who cover the A’s think the players union will doing everything they can to prevent that from happening. Do you see that small possibility of it not happening?

#3 Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker will not be back for the 2025 season. His departure comes after managing two season with the Marlins his last game as skipper was last Friday. Schumaker said he will not be managing the club for the last two games of the season due to personal family business. Ironically Schumaker led the Marlins to the post season last year and won NL Manager of the Year. The Marlins were 60-111 this season.

#4 What rebound for the Kansas City Royals as they clinched for the post season against the Washington Nationals . The Royals made one of the biggest turnarounds in MLB history. Last season the Royals had a record of 106 loses and turned it around this season with a 85-75 record and are ten games over .500

#5 The Detroit Tigers win over the White Sox on Friday night clinched them a birth for the post season. The Tigers have waited for a decade to get in the post season and will face the Baltimore Orioles or the AL Champions Houston Astros.

Charlie O does Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Brian Burkett is a broadcast partner with Charlie O.

A’s Uable to Sweep Series With Astros But Win Series; Oakland Losing Game Three 6-3

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Oakland A’s starter Mitch Spence delivers to the Houston Astros line up in the bottom of the first inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Thu Sep 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Thursday afternoon the A’s took on the Astros looking for a sweep in game three of their series. Oakland tied the game in the eighth inning when Daz Cameron singled Jacob Wilson home and Brent Rooker followed that run up with a 420 feet home run for the 2-2 tally.

In the bottom of the eighth, Houston took it to A’s pitchers T. J. McFarland and Grant Holman scoring four runs and taking the game 6-3. Between the two pitchers they allowed five hits and the four runs. Oakland had two home runs in this game from Rooker and Tyler Nevin.

Game recap: Houston took the lead again in the second inning, again a 2-0 lead in a replay of game two. That 2-0 score persisted through the next four innings. Oakland would finally get up on the scoreboard in the seventh inning when Daz Cameron singled Jacob Wilson home and the score was 2-1 in favor of the Astros.

Oakland pitcher Mitch Spence went seven innings in this game allowing seven hits but only two runs. He had no walks and 2 strikeouts. T.J. McFarland relieved him in the eighth inning lasting 1/3 of an inning. He gave up two hits and two runs. Grant Holman got Oakland out of the inning but not before he allowed three hits and two more runs.

This game was all tied in the eighth inning courtesy of a Brent Rooker solo home run. This was his 36th long ball of the season.

With this game level, the A’s had a great opportunity to do some damage in the ninth inning. Houston foiled those plans with a wild bottom of the eighth inning. They beat up relief pitchers T.J. McFarland and Grant Holman to the tune of five combined hits and four runs taking a 6-2 lead.

It was too much of a lead for the A’s to overcome. Tyler Nevin did hit a home run in the top of the ninth inning but it was too little too late. Jacob Wilson struck out, Daz Cameron grounded out, Armando Alvarez struck out and that was the ball game. A 6-3 win for Houston.

Winning the series against the first place Houston Astros was of course a very good thing but it was the sweep that the A’s had their eyes on especially since they had tied up the game in the eighth inning.

Game notes: Thursday afternoon the A’s took on the Houston Astros and couldn’t complete the sweep after winning games one and two. A’s starter Mitch Spence pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits, gave up two earned runs and struck out two batters. A’s relievers TJ McFarland and Grant Holman each gave up two runs. The Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and struck out six hitters. After Valdez left the Astros used three relievers that kept A’s hitting off balance.

Oakland will now travel up to Chicago for a three-game series with the White Sox that will get underway Friday with first pitch scheduled for 4:40 PM PT. The White Sox are not to be taken lightly although they do reside in the MLB basement with a 33-114 record.

At this time of the year our bottom dwellers have nothing to do but play spoiler. The A’s have moved from fifth place in the American League West to the fourth spot 3 1/2 games ahead of the Angels. In Friday’s game, Oakland will send Brady Basso to the mound with a 0-0, 1.93 ERA record. Garrett Crochet will start for the White Sox with a 6-11 win/loss record and a 3.83 ERA.

A’s Beat Astros 5-4, Win Series and Will Go For the Sweep in Game Three Thursday

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Oakland A’s Jacob Wilson (5) and Kyle McCann (center) score after McCann’s two run top of the sixth inning home. The Houston Astros catcher is Yanier Diaz (right). (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite falling behind early, the Oakland A’s (63-82) tied up this game in the third inning and went on to beat the Houston Astros (77-67) 5-4. Thursday the A’s will be going for the sweep. Joey Estes struggled a bit early but got his game back on track going 6 2/3 innings.

Oakland has had some very good results when they hit those homers and they did have one home run off the bat of Kyle McCann in this game. Max Schuemann had two hits and stole a couple of bases and is now tied with Lawrence Butler with 14 steals apiece this season.

After winning a 12 inning game over the Astros Tuesday 4-3 the A’s took game two and won the series in Wednesday night’s game A’s starter Joey Estes went 6.2 innings, allowed seven hits, two earned runs, one walk and struck out two. Astros starter Hunter Brown pitched five innings, allowed nine hits and five runs which were all the runs that the A’s needed to win the ball game.

Tuesday night the A’s took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and Wednesday night, it was the Astros that got out in front early 2-0 in the second inning. Jake Meyers sacrificed driving Alex Bregman home and taking the early 1-0 lead. They would add to their lead when Mauricio Dubon singled Jeremy Pena home for the 2-0 lead.

Oakland would tie up this game in the third inning 2-2. Brent Rooker singled Max Schuemann home for their first run of the game. JJ Bleday grounded into a fielder’s choice and Ryan Noda scored on an error to even the score. Houston would take back the lead in the third inning when Yordan Alvarez scored on an Athletic error 3-2. Both teams had a couple of errors apiece in the third inning.

The fourth and fifth innings were quiet for both teams but the A’s turned this game around in the sixth inning. Kyle McCann hit a two run home run with Jacob Wilson on base and Oakland had taken a 4-3 lead. Brent Rooker would add another run in the same inning hitting a single driving Max Schuemann home and taking a 5-3 lead.

It was a terrific outing for Joey Estes who went 6 2/3 innings allowing seven hits and three runs. He struggled to start but pulled it together in a gutsy performance. He was relieved by TJ McFarland who got Oakland out of the seventh inning.

The Astros would make things interesting in the eighth inning scoring a run trialing by the score of 5-4. Kyle Tucker singled Alex Bregman home and this game got very uncomfortable for Oakland. The A’s got out of the inning and this game went into the ninth.

Oakland was three outs away from taking this series in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was ‘Miller Time” and it was a great showing. Mason Miller dismissed Jake Meyers, Mauricio Dubon and Victor Caratini, three and out and the A’s had won game two by the slimmest of margins 5-4. Oakland finished the game with ten hits only scoring in two frames.

There is nothing better than going on the road and winning and it is especially sweet when it’s the Houston Astros on the losing end. Max Schuemann had a terrific game with two hits and a couple of stolen bases.

Schuemann has stolen 14 bases this season. Lawrence Butler continued his streak with another hit in this game and he also has 14 stolen bases this season. He did miss Tuesday night’s game being somewhat under the weather but he was all hands on deck in Wednesday’s game.

After winning this game, Oakland now has the opportunity to sweep this series Thursday. Mitch Spence will take the mound in Thursday’s game. He has a 7-9 win/loss record and a 4.42 ERA. The Astros will be looking to avoid the sweep starting Framber Valdez. He has a 14-6 win/loss record and a 2.97 ERA and he will give the Oakland offense a run for their money. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 11:10 AM PT.