Chapman, Canha Back Bassitt In A's 8-4 Win Over Astros
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Chapman doubled among his three hits and Mark Canha had two hits and three RBIs to back Chris Bassitt's six solid innings, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 8-4 on Saturday.
Matt Olson and Josh Phegley each had two hits for Oakland, which finished with 13 hits — just two for extra bases. The A's have won four straight games and 11 of their last 16. They have gained four games in four days on the Astros, closing to within 6 1/2 games of the AL West leaders.
Bassitt (9-5) gave up three runs and eight hits with two walks. In seven starts since the All-Star break, he's 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA. Bassitt threw 116 pitches, a career-high for the 30-year-old who missed all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Yordan Alvarez homered twice for Houston, which has lost five straight and six of seven after winning eight in a row and 18 of 21.
The A's scored five runs against rookie starter Rogelio Armenteros (1-1) in the third when the first seven hitters reached base safely. Canha's two-run single highlighted a rally that gave the A's a 5-2 lead.
Armenteros gave up five runs and seven hits with one walk in four innings. The 25-year-old rookie was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to make his second career start and fifth appearance with starter Gerrit Cole missing his second turn in the rotation with a right hamstring injury.
Oakland opened up an 8-3 lead in the fifth when four straight batters reached safely to start a three-run inning.
Alvarez hit his 19th homer off reliever Ryan Buchter leading off the eighth. He homered off Bassitt in the fifth.
Michael Brantley was 2 for 4 with his fourth straight multi-hit game for Houston.
GROUND GAME
Brantley grounded into an unusual 3-4-1 play in the seventh. With one out and George Springer aboard on a leadoff single, Brantley hit a grounder that grazed first baseman Olson's glove. Second baseman Corban Joseph, playing in short right with the shift on Springer, fielded the ball and threw to reliever Blake Treinen covering first.
MOVES
Astros RHP Francis Martes was reinstated from the restricted list and placed on the minor league injured list. Martes, who had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 15 of last year, was suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug in March.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: RHP Brad Peacock (right shoulder) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Sunday, manager A.J. Hinch said. Peacock's return would be a welcome addition a taxed Astros bullpen. Going into Saturday four relievers (Héctor Rondón, Ryan Pressly, Will Harris and Joe Smith) had pitched in three of their previous four games. ... RHP Cy Sneed was optioned to Round Rock to make room on the 25-man roster for Armenteros.
Athletics: OF Stephen Piscotty appeared to jam his left foot sliding into second base on a pickoff attempt. He left the game for a pinch-runner.
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Zack Greinke (12-4, 2.91 ERA) is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts with Houston. He's 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 16 appearances (12 starts) against Oakland.
Athletics: LHP Brett Anderson (10-8, 3.95) is 1-4 with a 6.58 ERA in six appearances (five starts) against Houston.
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