Final
A's, Astros resume four-game set
Apr 25, 2014 - 2:29 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Oakland Athletics try to continue their mastery of the Houston Astros on Friday when the American League West foes continue a four-game series at Minute Maid Park.Oakland swept the Astros last weekend, and in 2013, they dominated Houston, winning 15 of 19 meetings between the two teams. In fact, the A's are 24-5 against the Astros all-time.
"Any time you play in your division, you have to play well," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "To make strides as an organization and become champions, it starts with beating the teams in your division."
That trend continued on Thursday, as Josh Donaldson hit a pair of two-run homers, Scott Kazmir tossed six solid innings and Oakland beat the Astros for the seventh straight time in a 10-1 rout.
Alberto Callaspo added a two-run homer for the Athletics, who snapped a three- game skid. Kazmir (3-0) allowed one run on five hits with seven strikeouts.
"Those things were tape-measure shots," Kazmir said of Donaldson's home runs. "It was fun to watch."
Chris Carter drove in the lone run for the Astros, who have lost two in a row. Brett Oberholtzer (0-4) got the start and gave up six runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings.
"They got to me early," Oberholtzer said of the A's. "They're a good team. They come out swinging the bat and they play together."
Getting the call for the A's on Friday will be surprising right-hander Jesse Chavez, who is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA. A reliever for most of his seven-year big league career, Chavez came into camp this spring with a chance to land in the rotation. Injuries to Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin aside, Chavez earned a starting role this spring and has been one of the A's best pitchers this season.
"When somebody goes down or somebody's struggling, you give somebody else an opportunity, and it's their turn to shine," said A's manager Bob Melvin. "Jesse's been focused and ready for that opportunity and continues to run with it."
Chavez continued his eye-opening start on Sunday against the Astros, as he earned his first win of the season and held them to a run and four hits over six innings. He has given up just one earned run in each of his four starts this season.
Houston will counter Chavez with the same pitcher it did last Sunday in righty Brad Peacock, who is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA. Peacock pitched well last weekend in Oakland, but absorbed the loss nonetheless, allowing a pair of runs in five innings. He also walked three batters and has issued 11 free passes in 14 2/3 innings this season.
"Our record against them says a lot about our inability to throw strikes," Porter said. "They're a real patient team and always understand what they're trying to do in their offensive approach. If you don't throw strikes, they'll work you all game. We can sometimes struggle with that.
Peacock has faced the A's four times and is 1-2 with a 3.92 ERA.
- OAKLAND: 12
HOUSTON: 5
Final
Apr 26 12:16 AM - Josh Donaldson two-out, two-run Home Run (7) to left scored Derek Norris. Brandon Moss due up.
Athletics 12, Astros 5 Top 9, 2 OutsApr 26 12:03 AM - Derek Norris double to left scored Nick Punto with one out. Runner on second and Jed Lowrie due up.
Athletics 10, Astros 5 Top 9, 1 OutApr 25 11:57 PM - Coco Crisp grounded out second to first, scoring Daric Barton with one out. Runner on second and Derek Norris due up.
Athletics 9, Astros 5 Top 9, 1 OutApr 25 11:56 PM - Daric Barton single to center scored Brandon Moss, Alberto Callaspo andCraig Gentry scored on George Springer's fielding error with none out. Runner on first and Nick Punto due up.
Athletics 8, Astros 5 Top 9, 0 OutsApr 25 11:46 PM - Jason Castro grounded out second to first, scoring Jose Altuve with two outs. On the play, Dexter Fowler advances to third. Runner on third and George Springer due up.
Athletics 5, Astros 5 Bot 4, 2 OutsApr 25 9:46 PM - Jose Altuve reached second on Josh Donaldson's throwing error, scoring Chris Carter and Matt Dominguez with one out. Runner on second and Dexter Fowler due up.
Athletics 5, Astros 4 Bot 4, 1 OutApr 25 9:41 PM - Matt Dominguez single to center scored Alex Presley with none out. On the play, Chris Carter advances to second. Runners on first and second and Jonathan Villar due up.
Athletics 5, Astros 2 Bot 4, 0 OutsApr 25 9:37 PM - John Jaso sacrifice fly to left scored Eric Sogard with two outs. On the play, Coco Crisp advances to third. Runner on third and Jed Lowrie due up.
Athletics 5, Astros 1 Top 4, 2 OutsApr 25 9:30 PM - Jose Altuve double to left scored Jonathan Villar with none out. Runner on second and Dexter Fowler due up.
Athletics 4, Astros 1 Bot 3, 0 OutsApr 25 9:09 PM - Jed Lowrie single to right scored Daric Barton and Eric Sogard with one out. On the play, John Jaso advances to third. Runners on first and third and Josh Donaldson due up.
Athletics 4, Astros 0 Top 2, 1 OutApr 25 8:51 PM - Daric Barton single to center scored Josh Reddick with none out. Runner on first and Eric Sogard due up.
Athletics 2, Astros 0 Top 2, 0 OutsApr 25 8:40 PM - Josh Reddick triple to center scored Alberto Callaspo with none out. Runner on third and Daric Barton due up.
Athletics 1, Astros 0 Top 2, 0 OutsApr 25 8:40 PM - OAKLAND: 0
HOUSTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 25 8:10 PM
Related News
- Elephant Rumblings: Post-Christmas lull at full throttle Dec 26
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 26, 2023 Dec 26
- Twas The Night Before Christmas... Dec 24
- Everystros LV Dec 24
- Elephant Rumblings: Luis Morales a prospect to watch in 2024 Dec 24
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Lawrence Butler Dec 23
- Elephant Rumblings: Giants Strike Out in Free Agency Once Again Dec 23
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 23, 2023 Dec 23
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Esteury Ruiz Dec 22
- Astros Minor League Position Review: Third Base Dec 22
- Elephant Rumblings: MLB approves 2024 rule changes Dec 22
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 22, 2023 Dec 22