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 four 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.
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.
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.
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 was unable to play Wednesday due to right wrist discomfort after leaving Tuesday’s game.
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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