Astros slip past A's in 10 innings
OAKLAND -- Tony Kemp hit a leadoff double in the 10th inning and scored the go-ahead run on George Springer's single as the Houston Astros defeated the Oakland A's 2-1 Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Astros moved within two games of the second American League wild-card spot by defeating the A's for the sixth straight time.
Kemp, who had a pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh inning, lined a double to the right-center-field gap off A's left-hander Sean Doolittle (2-3) in the 10th. Kemp moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and Springer grounded a sharp single to center past a drawn-in Oakland infield.
Reliever Chris Devenski (4-4) pitched 3 2/3 innings perfect innings for the win, striking out four.
Astros right-hander Ken Giles took over in the 10th, but after he retired the first batter he faced, the A's loaded the bases as Yonder Alonso walked, Brett Eibner singled and Bruce Maxwell walked.
Giles retired Jake Smolinski on a popup for the second out, then struck out Joey Wendle to record his 13th save.
A's rookie left-hander Sean Manaea pitched six shutout innings in a no-decision. Manaea gave up three hits, struck out seven and walked two in his second start since leaving his Aug. 29 outing against Houston after 3 1/3 innings with a strained upper back.
Astros rookie right-hander Joe Musgrove allowed one run on two hits through 5 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking three in a no-decision.
Musgrove had a no-hitter through 5 1/3 innings before Smolinski grounded an opposite-field single to right field, beating the Astros' defensive shift. Wendle grounded an opposite-field single to left as the A's beat the shift again. Marcus Semien walked, loading the bases and ending Musgrove's night.
Devenski retired Stephen Vogt on a slow ground ball to shortstop Carlos Correa that brought Smolinski home, giving Oakland a 1-0 lead. Danny Valencia grounded out to end the inning.
The Astros pulled even with a run in the seventh. Evan Gattis led off with an infield single off reliever John Axford. Marwin Gonzalez grounded into a fielder's choice, then stole second base. Kemp brought Gonzalez home with a double to right field on a ball that that glanced off of Axford's glove and angled sharply behind second baseman Wendle, who was running toward second base and couldn't change directions.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve led off the eighth with a sharp single to left, his 200th hit of the season. Altuve, who has three straight 200-hit seasons, was caught stealing as Correa struck out.
NOTES: A's RHP Henderson Alvarez had surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday in Gulf Breeze, Fla. There is no time-table for his return. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery. Alvarez did not pitch for the A's this season as he tried to come back from July 28, 2015, surgery on his shoulder. .. A's LF Khris Davis, who ranks fourth in the major leagues with 40 home runs, was a late scratch because of "a stomach bug," manager Bob Melvin said. Danny Valencia replaced Davis, Oakland's cleanup hitter, in the lineup and played right field, with Jake Smolinski moving to left. Valencia hit fourth. ... A's RHP Sonny Gray (strained right forearm) threw a 48-pitch bullpen session and will likely pitch a two-inning simulated game this weekend. ... Astros RHP Collin McHugh makes his 31st start of the season Wednesday in the series finale against Oakland. He's 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his career vs. the A's.