Astros complete sweep of A's
HOUSTON - Jose Altuve stroked a game-tying, RBI triple and Evan Gattis followed with a run-scoring single as the Houston Astros fashioned a two-out, eighth-inning rally for a 4-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros (71-62) completed the three-game series sweep of Oakland with their improbable comeback, coming to life against Athletics right-hander Liam Hendriks (0-3) after left-hander Ross Detwiler stifled their lineup for seven listless innings.
George Springer, 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Detwiler, ignited the rally with a triple to center field and scored when Alex Bregman reached base on a wild pitch after swinging wildly at a third strike. Altuve, also 0-for-3 against Detwiler, followed with his triple to right-center field, scoring Bregman to tie the game at 3-3.
Gattis slapped the first pitch he saw from Hendriks into left field to score Altuve and complete the comeback. Five consecutive batters reached base with two outs in the frame. Astros closer Ken Giles earned his seventh save with a perfect ninth inning.
Detwiler was magnificent, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over seven innings. He had scuffled through his previous three starts, surrendering 14 earned runs over 14 innings while taking the loss each time. Against the Astros, he allowed an RBI double to Carlos Correa that scored Bregman with one out in the fourth inning but was otherwise unflappable.
Yulieski Gurriel grounded into an inning-ending double play to close the fourth and Detwiler followed by retiring nine of the final 10 batters he faced.
The Athletics (57-76) took advantage of a fielding error on Correa to scratch across three runs in the second inning off right-hander Mike Fiers. Jake Smolinski delivered a two-run triple immediately after Joey Wendle reached on the Correa error, and Bruce Maxwell followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Smolinski for a 3-0 Oakland lead.
Fiers wobbled through five innings but limited the damage to the uprising in the third. Right-hander Michael Feliz (8-1) earned the win in relief by working the eighth inning.
NOTES: Oakland announced the trade of OF Coco Crisp to the Indians in exchange for LHP Colt Hynes. The transaction also included cash considerations going to Cleveland. ... Athletics 2B Joey Wendle made his major league debut following his recall from Triple-A Nashville. ... The Astros won't announce roster additions until Friday but manager A.J. Hinch expects at least two relievers and perhaps OF Preston Tucker to be a part of the initial wave. Tucker (right shoulder sprain) is currently on a rehab assignment, having landed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 12. Astros RHP Brad Peacock, a third catcher and maybe an additional pitcher will join the club next week when the minor league season concludes. ... Athletics LHP Sean Doolittle is set to rejoin the club in Oakland this weekend following another encouraging rehab appearance on Tuesday night at Triple-A. Doolittle was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 26 with a strained left shoulder.