Final
Donaldson sends A's past Astros
Apr 17, 2013 - 7:09 AMVideo
After Reddick drew a two-out walk, Donaldson lifted a 3-2 offering high down the right field line. Astros right fielder Rick Ankiel made a play on the ball but it landed inches from foul territory.
"Can't defend a ball that lands in fair territory by two or three inches," said Astros manager Bo Porter. "Fortunate for them, the ball landed in fair territory and its a triple and an RBI."
Grant Balfour shut the door in the ninth for his second save of the season.
Eric Sogard went 3-for-3 and finished a home run shy of the cycle for Oakland, which has won 11 of 13 after dropping its first two games of the season.
"The staff and everyone here takes pride in playing good defense," said Donaldson. "We want to be back there for our pitchers."
A.J. Griffin struck out eight and allowed two runs in six innings of work for the Athletics. Sean Doolittle (1-0), who allowed a game-tying home run to Carlos Pena in the top of the eighth inning, picked up the win.
Rhiner Cruz (0-1) was on the hill for Donaldson's game-winner.
Houston struck first when Justin Maxwell knocked in Marwin Gonzalez with a single up the middle in the top of the third inning. Jose Altuve, who had two hits on the afternoon, came around on a Chris Carter single later in the inning to give the Astros a 2-0 advantage.
The A's got one back in the fourth when Brad Peacock, who struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings, sent a wild pitch past catcher Jason Castro. Chris Young came around to score on the play.
Oakland took its first lead of the night next stanza on an RBI triple from Coco Crisp and single by Seth Smith, who got the start for the injured Yoenis Cespedes.
Pena's home run in the top of the eighth knotted things up until Donaldson won it for Oakland in the bottom of the frame.
Game Notes
Altuve hit 2-for-3 with a run ... Rick Ankiel and J.D. Martinez each went 0- for-4 with three strikeouts ... Dallas Keuchel tossed three scoreless innings in relief for Houston ... Crisp, Sogard and Donaldson each belted their first triples of the year.
- HOUSTON: 3
OAKLAND: 4
Final
Apr 17 1:17 AM - Josh Donaldson triple to right scored Josh Reddick with two out. Runner on third and Shane Peterson due up.
Astros 3, Athletics 4 Bot 8, 2 OutsApr 17 1:07 AM - Carlos Pena two-out, solo Home Run (1) to left. J.D. Martinez due up.
Astros 3, Athletics 3 Top 8, 2 OutsApr 17 12:47 AM - Seth Smith single to right scored Coco Crisp with one out. On the play, John Jaso advances to third. Runners on first and third and Jed Lowrie due up.
Astros 2, Athletics 3 Bot 5, 1 OutApr 16 11:59 PM - Coco Crisp triple to right scored Eric Sogard with one out. Runner on third and John Jaso due up.
Astros 2, Athletics 2 Bot 5, 1 OutApr 16 11:51 PM - Josh Reddick advances to third and Chris Young scored on a Brad Peacock wild pitch with two out. Runner on third and Josh Donaldson at the plate.
Astros 2, Athletics 1 Bot 4, 2 OutsApr 16 11:32 PM - Chris Carter single to center scored Jose Altuve with one out. On the play, Justin Maxwell advances to third. Runners on first and third and Carlos Pena due up.
Astros 2, Athletics 0 Top 3, 1 OutApr 16 10:52 PM - Justin Maxwell single to left scored Marwin Gonzalez with none out. On the play, Jose Altuve advances to second. Runners on first and second and Jason Castro due up.
Astros 1, Athletics 0 Top 3, 0 OutsApr 16 10:47 PM - HOUSTON: 0
OAKLAND: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 16 10:08 PM
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