Athletics 5-4 Astros (September 11, 2024) Match Report

HOUSTON – Kyle McCann hit a two-run homer, Brent Rooker had two hits and two RBIs and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Wednesday night.

The Astros have lost three games in a row, and their lead in the AL West has shrunk to 3 1/2 games over Seattle with 17 games remaining.

Houston also lost All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, who left after the fifth inning with right-side discomfort. He called out manager Joe Espada and the trainer after a swing on strike 2 of his at-bat in the fifth inning. He completed the at-bat, was eliminated on a bunt attempt, but did not enter the field in the sixth inning.

Espada said he was “not really concerned” about the injury.

“He was deceived on the field and kind of felt something,” Espada said. “Out of an abundance of caution, he decided to go with two strikes, just to make sure he was OK. Right now, day by day.”

Espada and Altuve both said they would wait and see how the second baseman feels on Thursday.

“I'm not too worried,” Altuve said. “Maybe I'll just wake up tomorrow and be ready to go. So I don't want to take a position tonight because usually when you get injured you wait until the next day and see how you feel.”

McCann hit a two-run homer against Hunter Brown (11-8) and Rooker hit an RBI single against Caleb Ferguson as the A's scored three runs and took a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning. Rooker also had an RBI single as part of the two-run third that tied the game at 2-2.

“These guys are playing with a lot of confidence,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. “They all believe in each other, they support each other and to come here and win the first two games of this series as these guys fight to stay in the league, that says a lot about the character of this group and their dynamic.”

The Astros took a 2-0 lead in the second on a sacrifice fly by Jake Meyers and an RBI single by Mauricio Dubón. Yordan Alvarez scored on an error by Max Schuemann in the third to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.

Kyle Tucker hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to cut the deficit to one, but Tyler Ferguson brought in Ben Gamel with a flyout to end the inning.

Oakland's Joey Estes (7-7) allowed three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. Mason Miller pitched the ninth inning for his 24th save.

Lawrence Butler extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the fifth.

Brown allowed five runs on nine hits and seven strikeouts in five innings.

“They kind of beat me tonight, especially in the sixth inning,” Brown said. “That was tough. Not the way you want to see it. I'm out there competing, so they're against me and us. It just didn't go the way we wanted it to.”

TRAINING ROOM

Athletics: RHP Ross Stripling was placed on the 15-day injured list with a back strain, retroactive to Monday. LHP Kyle Muller was optioned from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Stripling's spot on the roster. LHP Jack O'Loughlin was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Astros: OF Chas McCormick has a small fracture in his right hand and will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Espada said after the game. McCormick sustained the injury when he collided with the outfield wall while making a catch Tuesday night.

“It sucks,” McCormick said. “It's really disappointing. I just want to be here and try to help the team win, especially at the end of the season when we get to the playoffs.”

Next

Astros LHP Framber Valdez (14-6, 2.97 ERA) starts in Thursday's series finale opposite Athletics RHP Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.42 ERA).

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