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Kendall lifts Athletics past Astros in 11 innings

Jun 15, 2007 - 12:50 AM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Jason Kendall's RBI single plated Bobby Crosby in the 11th inning to lift the Oakland Athletics to a 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday.

Kendall had three hits as the Athletics won for the 10th time in their last 12 games. The Astros, who have dropped four of their last five, are just 7-20 since May 17.

Crosby had a one-out single in the 11th and raced to third on rookie Kurt Suzuki's single to right, his first major league hit.

Kendall then delivered his game-winning hit to left.

"I just got a pitch to hit and found a hole," Kendall said. "I was looking for a fastball, but he threw a sinker down and in. I just wanted to get it over the infield."

Suzuki was obviously elated his first major league hit could be part of a winning rally.

"My heart was racing - that's the second time I've gone in with the game tied," Suzuki said. "It was nice to get the hit, but more importantly, it gave us a chance to win.

"It was nice to be part of that."

Oakland wasted no time duplicating Wednesday's heroics in Thursday's game.

Eric Chavez's solo home run and Mark Ellis' RBI double highlighted a three-run first inning. On Wednesday, Chavez had a solo homer in the fifth and Ellis' RBI double in the eighth allowed the Athletics to rally to a 7-3 victory.

Houston got one back in the first after Mike Lamb singled to left to plate Lance Berkman, who returned to action after serving a two-game suspension.

The Astros tied it in the third following Carlos Lee's RBI double and Lamb's run-scoring single.

Neither starting pitcher made it out of the fifth inning.

Oakland's Chad Gaudin pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and nine hits. Five relievers shut down the Astros, allowing just three hits over the next 5 2/3 innings. Alan Embree (1-0) allowed two of the hits in two innings but picked up the win.

Santiago Casilla retired the side in the 11th to pick up his second save.

"I can't say enough about the effort the guys are giving," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "Six relievers, throwing all those zeros ... they did a remarkable job.

"We've got guys banged up, catchers going to the outfield, players less than 100 percent. And they're getting the job done."

Houston starter Jason Jennings allowed three runs and five hits in four innings. Six relievers held the fort until Brian Moehler (0-2) allowed three hits, including Kendall's winner, in the 11th inning.

After the Athletics took a 4-3 lead when Ellis scored on a passed ball in the fifth inning, Houston countered with a pair of runs.

Morgan Ensberg's RBI single tied the game and Luke Scott grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Eric Munson to give the Astros a 5-4 lead.

Marco Scutaro's solo homer in the sixth tied the game at 5-5.

Astros shortstop Adam Everett left the game in the fourth inning with a fractured right fibula. Everett is expected to be out six to eight weeks.

Everett suffered the injury in the fourth inning of the matinee contest. With one out in the frame, Kendall lofted a popup to short left field. Everett drifted back and caught the ball before colliding with Lee, the left fielder.

Despite sliding to avoid the collision, Lee slammed right into Everett's lower right leg. Everett dropped the ball on the play, and Kendall ended up on second with a double.

The loss of Everett compounds the problems of a team already struggling.

"It was a bad day, no question," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "It was very frustrating that we couldn't win the ball game. That hurts, and losing Adam hurts, also."

"We're not getting the results from the situations that we need. Our offenses are almost identical, but their at-bats in key situations were better than our at-bats in key situations."