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A's blank Astros

Aug 16, 2013 - 1:26 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Sonny Gray picked up his first major-league win for the Oakland Athletics, who defeated the Houston Astros by a score of 5-0 in the finale of a three-game set.

Gray (1-1) only surrendered four hits while fanning nine batters in his second career start. The right-hander lasted eight innings and threw 118 pitches for the A's, who avoided a three-game sweep.

"This is a great feeling. I'm glad that we could come away with the win after losing the last few nights. I feel like that was big and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling now. It is nice to get the first win," said Gray on his first victory.

The Oakland offense was powered by Nate Freiman, who went 4-for-4 on the day. The first baseman also drove in four runs, including a two-run homer in the third that put the A's up 5-0.

"Don't get me wrong, Nate did a tremendous job for us and we hate to see him go. Even when he left I told him that you belong in the big leagues and somebody is going to claim you. Give the Oakland Athletics credit. They claimed him and he has been a good asset for their ball club," said Houston manager Bo Porter on Freiman, who was selected off of waivers in March by the A's from the Astros.

Erik Bedard (3-9) was credited with the loss. The veteran left-hander lasted only 4 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on seven hits with four walks for Houston. Bedard has not recorded a win since June 28.

Robbie Grossman went 2-for-4 for the Astros, who have only won twice in their last nine games.

Chris Young hit a single to lead off the game and was quickly brought home on a Jed Lowrie double to center. Josh Donaldson was walked by Bedard before Freiman doubled down the right field line to plate Lowrie and Donaldson for a three-run first inning.

Freiman continued his offensive outburst in the third inning when he crushed a home run over the wall in left to bring in Cespedes, who singled to right.

Houston showed signs of life in the final frame when Marc Krauss doubled to right, moving Carlos Corporan over to third. Dan Otero closed the game with a strikeout quickly ending the Houston threat.

Game Notes

Houston has the youngest roster in the majors with an average age of 25.6 ... Oakland has committed 13 errors in their last 14 games ... Oakland is leading the season series 12-3 ... The A's have started a right-handed pitcher in their last 11 games. This is the longest streak since a streak of 68 games in 1999.