Astros 2 - 1 Athletics
Final
  for this game

Altuve homers to back Fister in Astros' 2-1 win over A's

May 2, 2016 - 12:10 AM OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Doug Fister didn't have much margin for error, not with Houston managing only two hits - none after the third inning.

That turned out to be all the right-hander needed to end his three-game losing streak.

Fister pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Jose Altuve homered leading off a game for the fourth time this season and the Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 2-1 Sunday to avoid a series sweep.

''Without a doubt that was his best stuff, best aggressiveness and strike-throwing,'' Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. ''I think he got a little tired at the end, but all in all a solid outing on a day we really needed it.''

The Astros had dropped nine of 11 and were facing big question marks about their rotation before Fister's best outing of the season.

Fister (2-3) gave up one run over 6 2/3 innings, struck out five and pitched out of a pair of early jams to win in his first start at the Coliseum in nearly two years.

''We've been working on some things, mentality and mechanics-wise,'' Fister said. ''We see the light for us as a team. It was a productive day and gets us on track to get back home and a happy flight.''

Altuve hit his seventh home run of the season on a 1-1 pitch from starter Rich Hill after going hitless in the first two games of this series between AL West rivals.

Jason Castro singled and scored on Colby Rasmus' sacrifice fly in the third for Houston, which finished 2-4 on its road trip.

Marcus Semien drove in Oakland's run with a single in the seventh.

''We had some opportunities if someone gets a big hit,'' A's manager Bob Melvin said. ''When you've only given up two runs and two hits, then you have an opportunity to get back in the game. We just weren't able to do it.''

Tony Sipp, Will Harris and Luke Gregerson completed the eight-hitter for Houston. Gregerson pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Houston needed the strong pitching after squandering numerous chances at the plate. The Astros left the bases loaded in the third, stranded a runner at second in the fourth and then hit into a double play to end the seventh following a one-out walk to Castro.

The A's also struggled with runners in scoring position.

Oakland loaded the bases in the second but failed to score and stranded runners at third after that, including in the seventh when Jed Lowrie flied out to end the inning.

Hill (3-3) fought command issues all afternoon after entering the day fourth in the AL with 37 strikeouts. Oakland's left-hander pitched six innings, gave up both Houston runs and walked four.

NO BROOM NEEDED

The A's have not swept a series of three games or longer at home since taking four straight from Toronto from July 3-6, 2014.

PLAYING CATCH WITH FANS

The A's held Little League day at the Coliseum but it was Astros bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte who seemed to have the most fun. As is his custom on the road, Bracamonte spent part of pregame playing catch with fans in the stands near Houston's bullpen. Bracamonte threw the ball back and forth with several people, including some in the second deck.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: Carlos Gomez could be headed for the disabled list. Gomez injured his ribs diving for a fly ball Friday and has not played since. He will be re-evaluated Monday in Houston before a decision is made. ... The Astros record for leadoff home runs in one season is eight, set by Craig Biggio in 2001.

Athletics: RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder surgery) is getting closer to joining the team. Alvarez threw 48 pitches over four innings Friday and the team hopes to stretch him out to 75 pitches on Thursday. ''We're getting to the point where we're starting to get excited about it,'' Melvin said.

UP NEXT

Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-3) pitches the series opener against Minnesota on Monday at Minute Maid Park, where he's won 17 consecutive games dating to 2014.

Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (1-2) starts against Seattle on Monday. Graveman allowed six runs in his last outing after giving up four runs total over his first three appearances.






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