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 The Astros rallied Sunday to score two times in the top of the
ninth and held on for a 4-3 victory, taking two of three in the
series at the O.co Coliseum.
The Astros capitalized on five walks by A's pitchers in the ninth,
three by right-hander Ryan Cook and two by lefty Fernando Abad --
including one intentional -- who walked home the go-ahead run with
the bases loaded.
"We're playing relaxed right now and that's a great thing," said
Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who allowed two earned runs over
6 2/3 innings and got a no decision. "Some of these young guys are
proving themselves and having quality at-bats against some tough
relievers over there.
"We took advantage of the opportunity. It's usually the A's taking
advantage of us, and we flipped the script today."
The A's took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on first baseman Nate
Freiman's two-run homer. With closer Sean Doolittle on the disabled
list and lefty Eric O'Flaherty, his replacement, out with a tight
back, A's manager Bob Melvin called on the hard-throwing Cook in the
ninth.
Cook walked third baseman Marwin Gonzalez on four pitches. Then,
with one out, he walked pinch hitter Marc Krauss and left fielder
Robbie Grossman, loading the bases and ending his brief outing.
"I struggled as much as I could to make pitches," said Cook (1-3),
who took the loss. "I just couldn't do it. There's no excuse. I have
to be able to make pitches, and I couldn't do it. It's as simple as
that."
Right fielder Jake Marisnick sent Abad's first pitch to deep right
field for a sacrifice fly, driving in Gonzalez to tie the game.
After intentionally walking second baseman Jose Altuve to load the
bases, Abad walked center fielder Dexter Fowler, forcing in pinch
runner L.J. Hoes with the go-ahead run.
"Throughout that whole inning we were putting together good
at-bats," Marisnick said. "Guys were battling and being patient. And
then I got up there and the first pitch was a good pitch to hit, so
I looked to jump on it and I did and was able to get a run across."
Astros left-hander Tony Sipp got the first two outs in the bottom of
the ninth inning before walking right fielder Craig Gentry. Josh
Fields took over and stuck out third baseman Josh Donaldson for his
third save. Right-hander Jose Veras (4-0) got the win, pitching 1
1/3 scoreless innings.
The A's (80-62) fell seven games behind the first-place Los Angeles
Angels in the American League West and lost for the eighth time in
their past 10 games.
"This hurts right now," said A's right-hander Jason Hammel, who gave
up two runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. "We'll lick our wounds
and come back. You can't get caught up looking at the scoreboard or
you'll lose focus on what you need to do."
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Houston (63-80) captured the series, 2-1, and improved to 12-7 over its
past 19 games. The Astros finished 51-111 last season, but with their
victory Sunday, they're guaranteed of finishing with less than 100
losses this year.
"That's real important," Astros interim manager Tom Lawless said. "We're
going in the right direction is what it says. We want to be the team
that's up at the top."
Altuve went 1-for-4 and extended his career-high hitting streak to 14
games with an eighth-inning single. Former Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie
went 3-for-4 and scored a run for the A's.
The A's scratched out an unearned run in the sixth inning to take a 1-0
lead, but the Astros countered with two runs in the top of the seventh.
Designated hitter Chris Carter crushed a leadoff double high off the
right-center-field wall, just missing his 37th home run of the season.
Catcher Jason Castro walked, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice
bunt. First baseman Jon Singleton grounded out to second, driving in
Carter, and shortstop Gregorio Petit lined an RBI single to center.
"I think we're just playing scrappy right now," Carter said. "Everyone's
having fun, playing loose."
NOTES: C John Jaso (concussion symptoms) could be activated from the
seven-day disabled list as soon as Monday when the A's open a seven-game
road trip in Chicago against the White Sox, manager Bob Melvin said.
When he is activated, the left-handed hitting Jaso's initial role will
be as a pinch hitter. Adam Dunn, another left-handed hitter, is now
entrenched as the A's DH against right-handed pitchers. ... A's 1B
Stephen Vogt (sprained left ankle) missed his third straight game and
remained in a walking boot. He will not travel with the team to Chicago
but could join them in Seattle on Friday. ... Astros LF Alex Presley
(right oblique strain) made his first start Sunday since being activated
Tuesday from the disabled list. ... Houston RHP Brad Peacock will make
his 22nd start of the season Monday at Seattle when the Astros open a
three-game series against the Mariners and right-hander Felix Hernandez,
who is 14-5 with a 2.18 ERA.
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