Astros 5, Athletics 4
Matt Dominguez belted a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth and Jonathan Villar scored on an error later in the inning as host Houston rallied to halt its 12-game slide to Oakland.
Dominguez forged a tie when he deposited a 3-2 pitch from Grant Balfour (0-2) over the wall in left-center for his 12th homer. The blast ended Balfour's franchise-record streak of 44 consecutive saves, handing the All-Star his first blown save since April 29, 2012 at Baltimore.
The Astros continued to take advantage of a shaky Balfour as Villar hit a one-out double and Jose Altuve walked. A pitch to Jason Castro got away from catcher Derek Norris, whose throw to first in an attempt to nail Altuve was off the mark, allowing Villar to race home with the winning run and give Houston its first win in 11 meetings with Oakland this season.
Villar collected three hits and scored twice while Josh Fields (1-1) notched the win after tossing a scoreless ninth for the Astros, who ended a six-game losing streak and improved to 2-15 all-time against Oakland.
Brandon Moss hit a two-run homer and Josh Donaldson collected three hits for American League West-leading Oakland, which remained three games ahead of the Texas Rangers.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Athletics C John Jaso matched a season high by drawing three walks. He also received three free passes June 16 against the Seattle Mariners. ... Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and remained in the lineup as the designated hitter. The Home Run Derby champion, who had missed the previous four contests with a sore left wrist, doubled in the ninth but was stranded. ... Athletics starter Jarrod Parker received his fifth straight no-decision after allowing two runs - one earned - in seven innings. He has yielded three runs or fewer in each of the five outings. Houston's Jarred Cosart also gave up two runs - one earned - over seven frames in his second career start.