The A’s stumbled in Houston to close out their trip through Texas, dropping two of three to the worst team in baseball.  Oakland avoided the sweep with a near-miraculous comeback in the 9th inning of Tuesday’s game.  Pending results from tonight’s action in Baltimore, the A’s will either hold a 1.5 or 2.5 game lead over the Angels in the AL West.  

The A’s rotation was uncharacteristically off in the series, particularly Jesse Chavez and Jeff Samaradzija in games one and two.  Unfortunately for the A’s, Jason Hammel continues to struggle since joining the club and is likely adding fuel to the fire that Billy Beane isn’t done making moves ahead of tomorrow’s trade deadline.  

Game 1 final score: Astros 7, Athletics 3

The A’s got off to a quick start scoring once in the 2nd on an RBI single by Derek Norris and then again in the 3rd on a solo home run from Stephen Vogt.  However, the Astros responded in the bottom of the inning when Chris Carter smashed a three run home run into the seats.  After the A’s tied the game on a Yoenis Cespedes sacrifice fly, the Astros came right back and put up three more runs in the bottom of the 6th against Jesse Chavez.  Immediately after Chavez’s departure after 5.1IP, RP Dan Otero gave up another home run to the Astros and that was all that Houston needed.  

Game 2 final score: Athletics 7, Astros 4

A’s SP Jeff Samardzija had a mixed performance Tuesday night, going 6.2IP and giving up all four of the Astros’ runs.  Through the first eight innings the A’s bats were stone cold, sans a solo home run from the recently returned Josh Reddick.  Bo Porter brought in Chad Qualls to close out the game and everything fell apart for the Astros.  

After striking out Vogt, Qualls gave three hits in a row to Norris, Reddick, and Alberto Callaspo.  Callaspo drove in both Norris and Reddick to bring the A’s to within one.  John Jaso grounded into a fielder’s choice, giving the A’s one last out to work with.  After a Jed Lowrie walk, Cespedes hit a bloop single to bring home Jaso and tie the game.  Qualls was pulled from the game but that didn’t end the A’s hit parade.  Brandon Moss singled to right to give the A’s the lead and then Josh Donaldson doubled up the ramp in center field to drive home two more.  

Sean Doolittle came in to retire the Astros in order and earn his 16th save on the season.  

Game 3 final score: Astros 8, Athletics 1

Everything you need to know about the series finale basically happened in the first hour.  The A’s went down in order in the 1st inning and the next time they came to the plate, the game was almost out of hand.  SP Jason Hammel gave up six earned runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, highlighted by a Robbie Grossman two run, home run.  

Josh Donaldson hit a home run to start the 2nd inning but that was all the A’s offense could muster all day.  In the 5th inning, Jon Singleton hit another two run, home run for the Astros and that was all for Hammel.  Hammel is now 0-4 with the A’s with an ERA over 9.00.  

What’s Next?

The A’s are off on Thursday as they head back to Oakland to host the Kansas City Royals, who will be wrapping up a series with the Twins tomorrow night in Kansas City. Expected pitching match-ups have not changed from this week’s Weekly Preview.

We’ll be bringing you any news from Thursday’s trade deadline in an on-going live inline that has already kicked off this afternoon.  If any news hits on the A’s, we’ll be providing additional coverage.  

VAVEL Logo
About the author
John Flesta
Displaced Oakland A's, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Timberwolves fan in New Jersey.