Athletics 4 - 3 Astros
Final
  for this game

Crisp's homer lifts A's over Astros

Jul 25, 2013 - 2:55 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Coco Crisp's two-run homer in the seventh inning lifted the Oakland Athletics over the Houston Astros, 4-3, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

John Jaso added a solo homer for the Athletics, who went 3-3 on a six-game road trip. Eric Sogard had an RBI and a run scored.

Oakland starter A.J. Griffin (9-7) allowed three runs on six hits while striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings.

Carlos Corporan and Jose Altuve homered for the Astros, who went 1-5 on a six- game homestand.

Bud Norris got the start for Houston and gave up three runs on four hits while striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings. Travis Blackley (1-1) gave up the homer to Crisp to take the loss.

"I felt like Bud was outstanding," said Astros manager Bo Porter. "His slider was unbelievably sharp; great command of his fastball in and out. He battled and pitched like a No. 1 starter."

Jaso's homer to left in the first gave the A's an early lead.

Altuve's solo homer to left in the fourth made it a 1-1 game.

Houston tacked on two more runs in the sixth to go in front. Jason Castro doubled to right and scored on Corporan's two-out homer to right.

Oakland responded with three runs in the seventh. Seth Smith walked and raced home on Sogard's double to left. Blackley came in from the bullpen and Crisp greeted him with a blast over the wall in left.

"It's always nice to win in any kind of fashion," said Crisp. "I don't think we rely on home runs. We just go up there and battle, and it just so happened that this is how this series broke down. We're always just trying to manufacture any runs we can."

The Astros put men on first and second with one out in the eighth. After Corporan flied out for the second out, Ryan Cook entered the game for Oakland. Brett Wallace flied out to end the inning.

Cook tossed a perfect ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

Game Notes

The A's have lost just twice in their 18 all-time meetings against Houston ... Griffin improved to 2-0 lifetime versus Houston ... Oakland selected the contract of infielder Adam Rosales from Triple-A Sacramento and designated infielder Vinnie Catricala for assignment.






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