Athletics 7, Astros 2
Seth Smith belted a three-run homer to highlight a seven-run third and Bartolo Colon tossed six solid innings as host Oakland strengthened its standing atop the American League West.
Brandon Moss ripped a two-run double among his three hits while Yoenis Cespedes and Daric Barton added RBI singles for the Athletics, who recorded their second seven-run inning against Houston this season. Oakland, which has won 11 of 14 overall and 15 of 19 against the Astros, owns a 1 1/2-game lead over second-place Texas in the division.
Lucas Harrell (6-16) received the spot start for Houston after Paul Clemens was scratched due to a blister on his middle finger. Harrell breezed into the third inning before the two-run double by Moss and RBI singles from Cespedes and Barton gave Oakland a 4-1 advantage. Smith punctuated the onslaught by depositing a 3-1 fastball over the wall in right field for his eighth homer - and first since Aug. 27.
Staked to a big lead, Colon (15-6) overcame Jose Altuve's RBI double in the first inning to snap a three-game losing streak and five-game winless stretch. The 40-year-old improved to 7-3 against Houston after allowing one run on five hits and striking out seven. Brett Anderson worked three innings to secure his third save.
Brandon Barnes plated L.J. Hoes with a single in the seventh inning for the Astros, who fell for the 10th time in 13 contests.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Oakland also scored seven runs in an inning against Houston on April 5. ... Athletics CF Coco Crisp went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts to see his nine-game hitting streak end. ... Oakland begins a six-game road trip on Tuesday, when it opens a three-game set versus Minnesota. Houston continues its seven-game trek by beginning a three-game series in Seattle.