A's 4, Astros 0
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Sonny Gray threw seven shutout innings, outdueling former teammate Scott Kazmir and leading the Oakland Athletics to a 4-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night at the O.co Coliseum.
Gray (13-7) gave up five hits and snapped his season-high three-game losing streak. He struck out four, walked two and threw 101 pitches.
A's first baseman Mark Canha hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning, his 14th blast of the season. Center fielder Billy Burns hit a solo homer in the third inning.
Kazmir faced the A's for the first time since they traded him on July 23 to Houston for a pair of prospects. He squared off against Gray, his close friend and a young pitcher he mentored in 2014 and much of this season in Oakland.
Kazmir (7-10) gave up four runs on seven hits, including two home runs, over six innings. He struck out three and walked two. The left-hander fell to 2-5 in nine starts with the Astros.
A's rookie right-hander Ryan Dull pitched two perfect innings to close out the win, keeping his ERA at 0.00 over six innings since he was recalled from Triple-A Nashville.
The Astros (75-64), who lead the American League West, fell to 27-40 on the road and lost at the Coliseum for the fifth consecutive time. They are 0-2 on their 10-game road trip.
Burns went 2-for-4 and scored twice. Canha had a pair of hits, and designated hitter Billy Butler went 3-for-4.
The A's took a 1-0 lead on Burns' leadoff home run in the third inning. It was his fourth home run of the season, all of them solo.
Canha extended Oakland's lead to 4-0 with his three-run shot in the fifth. Shortstop Marcus Semien walked with one out, stole second base and moved to third on Burns' single to right.
Canha crushed Kazmir's 1-0 cutter high and deep down the left field line, nearly reaching the seats in the second deck. It was his sixth home run in his past 20 games.
NOTES: Oakland recalled OF Craig Gentry and rookie INF Max Muncy from Triple-A Nashville. ... A's C Stephen Vogt, who missed his second consecutive game since being hit in the groin by a foul ball Sunday, will not have to undergo surgery. "So now it's going to be all about when he's able to move around and play," A's manager Bob Melvin said. ... Astros LHP Tony Sipp, who has not pitched since Aug. 26 due to a sore back, played catch pain-free two straight days and will throw a bullpen session Wednesday or Thursday in Houston, manager A.J. Hinch said. ... Astros C Jason Castro, on the disabled list since Aug. 29 because of a strained right quad, is running on a treadmill and hitting. He might catch Sipp's bullpen session this week.