Astros 10, Athletics 6
HOUSTON -- Designated hitter Evan Gattis belted a three-run home run with two outs in the seventh inning as the Houston Astros erased a three-run deficit in their 10-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros (78-71) snapped a five-game skid and maintained their 1 1/2-game lead for the second wild card in the American League. Houston blew a 3-0 lead for a second consecutive game before beginning their rally with two runs in the sixth inning.
Gattis pushed the Astros over the hump with his 25th home run on the season, an opposite-field blast to right field off Athletics right-hander Fernando Rodriguez (4-2). Gattis followed Colby Rasmus' two-out walk by launching a cutter, scoring Rasmus and shortstop Carlos Correa.
Astros first baseman Luis Valbuena delivered an RBI single in the sixth before rookie Matt Duffy followed with his first career hit two batters later, a double to left-center that scored Valbuena and cut the deficit to 6-5. Catcher Max Stassi added his first career homer in the eighth.
Oakland (64-85) used five relievers after right-hander Sonny Gray lasted only 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks.
What was a laborious, 29-pitch first inning for Astros left-hander Scott Kazmir appeared inconsequential when Houston sent seven batters to the plate and scored three times off Gray in the bottom of the frame.
Astros third baseman Jed Lowrie followed Correa's sacrifice fly with an RBI double, and later scored following a throwing error by Athletics catcher Carson Blair. But Gattis inexplicably attempted to tag from first base on a fly ball to right, and his baserunning gaffe represented a reprieve for the scuffling Gray.
Kazmir, meanwhile, continued to struggle and eventually surrendered the lead. Oakland left fielder Jake Smolinski opened the second with his sixth home run and Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien added a leadoff homer in the fourth - his 13th - to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Kazmir appeared to recover by recording successive outs, but walked nine-hole hitter Craig Gentry after getting ahead 0-2 in the count and surrendered consecutive singles as Mark Canha plated Gentry and chased Kazmir.
Oakland added three additional two-out runs in the fifth off Astros right-hander Vince Velasquez, extending their lead to 6-3 when Smolinski, Blair and Gentry doubled, singled and tripled in succession.
NOTES: Astros C Jason Castro made his third consecutive start following his activation from the 15-day disabled list (right quad strain), but is set to get the day off in the series finale. With the Astros facing a scheduled day off Thursday, Castro could start the entire series against the Angels. ... Athletics C Josh Phegley suffered a concussion after being hit in the back of the head by a bat during batting practice Friday. Phegley is required to pass the concussion protocol before being allowed to return to action. ... With Astros RHP Pat Neshek surrendering the lead in the eighth inning Friday night, the Houston bullpen continued its nightmarish month. Astros relievers were 1-7 with a 6.60 ERA and two saves in September entering Saturday, a departure from a unit that provided stability over the opening five months of the season.