Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (10-8, 3.97) starts Tuesday in the second of the three-game series with the Astros.
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If only his hitters could solve Houston’s pitching.
After scoring a run on Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Liam Hendriks’ wild pitch, Houston Astros’ George Springer watches teammate Alex Bregman reach first safely after striking out in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, in Houston.
Altuve hit his second homer in two games to lead off the sixth and extend Houston’s lead to 3-0. We were going to get multiple triples and a wild pitch on a strike out. “He’s been on the center stage, has been one of the best players on his team every team he’s been on so he knows what it’s going to take and this is fulfilling a dream of his so he’s not going to be frivolous with his body”. I think he made that either right before or right after that, so that was in my opinion, the play of the game.
Rizzo belted a two-run homer off Chad Kuhl (3-2) in the first and Miguel Montero added an RBI single an inning later as the Cubs improved to 84-47. “The three-run inning where Bregman breaks it open is what good offenses do when you get the opportunity”.
“We walked a couple of guys with the bases loaded but we didn’t do him any favors in the field, could have been out of the inning”, Melvin said. “I hate being hurt and being taken out early, especially in a close game”.
According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, the Houston Astros will activate outfielder Colby Rasmus from the 15-day disabled list.
“It’s good, he’s going to drive in like 100 runs in (each of) the next five years”, Altuve said. “Watching all that’s gone on, the good things that are happening, the place that we’re in, the chances that we have to get back to the playoffs and pop some bottles, it’s very exciting and I hope I can help out”.
Jose Altuve then tied the game with a triple to right-center, and after Carlos Correa was intentionally walked, Evan Gattis delivered the game-winning single to left.
McHugh (9-10) allowed four hits and struck out five.
The comeback allowed the Astros to keep pace in the AL wild-card race. “Alex Bregman thought it was a foul tip, too”. Ken Giles closed for his seventh save.
In the second, Oakland put runners on the corners with one out, but Rasmus caught Max Muncy’s flyout and threw home in time to get Ryon Healy and end the inning. He was due to be promoted after the rosters expand on September 1, but got early notice with the trade of Coco Crisp to the Indians that was completed Wednesday morning. The exchange has been agreed to by both teams, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has to be approved by Major League Baseball. He has seven homers this season.
Manaea left Monday’s start against the Houston Astros in the bottom of the fourth inning, and is being called day-to-day with what amounts to a sore back.
Athletics: LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3, 5.74) takes the mound Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series.
McHugh hadn’t given up fewer than three runs in a start since July 23 (a six-start span), and this was only his third scoreless start of the season.
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Astros: RHP Doug Fister (12-9, 3.60 ERA) starts against Texas on Friday, replacing Dallas Keuchel, Hinch announced after Wednesday’s game.
