Houston – After an embarrassing 18-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, the Houston Astros responded with a dominant 4-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. The turnaround was driven by a stellar performance from outfielder Yordan Alvarez, who doubled twice and drove in four runs, extending his league‑leading statistics in batting average (.321), home runs (36) and RBIs (90).
Alvarez’s key hits set the tone
Alvarez’s first double came in the fifth inning, driving in Nick Allen from first base to make the score 2-0. The play was a textbook example of aggressive baserunning; Allen slid home just ahead of the tag. Alvarez’s second double, his 28th of the season, arrived in the seventh inning, pushing the lead to 4-0 after a single by Isaac Paredes brought him home.
Houston starter Hayden Wesneski (3-1) limited the Athletics to a single hit over five innings, striking out four batters and preserving the early lead. The bullpen—four relievers—completed a three‑hit shutout, demonstrating the depth of the Astros’ pitching staff.
Oakland’s struggles continue
The Athletics, now on a five‑game losing streak, were unable to generate sustained offense. J.T. Ginn (8-8) allowed six hits and three runs in five innings, walking twice. The A’s only hit came from Jeff McNeil’s double in the sixth inning, which was quickly followed by a strikeout to end the inning.
Oakland’s early chances were limited to a single by Donovan Walton in the third inning and a walk by Henry Bolte in the same frame. Neither runner advanced, and the Athletics failed to capitalize on the few opportunities they created.
Looking ahead
Houston’s right‑hander Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.67 ERA) is slated to start the series finale on Saturday, facing left‑hander Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.22 ERA) of the Athletics. The Astros will aim to maintain their AL West lead while the Athletics look to snap their losing streak.
For Houston fans, the win offers reassurance that the team can rebound quickly from setbacks, and Alvarez’s continued production underscores his role as a cornerstone of the franchise’s success this season.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
