Laureano's Double In 11th Lifts A's Over Astros 4-3
HOUSTON (AP) — Matt Olson hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning and Ramon Laureano added a ground-rule RBI double with one out in the 11th, giving the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
It was tied at 3-3 when Olson singled off Collin McHugh (3-5) with one out in the 11th, before Mark Canha walked. Laureano then hit a ball to left field that rolled to the wall and lodged between the padding and the ground. Both runners scored by the time Josh Reddick got the ball and threw it in.
But the play was reviewed and Canha was returned to third base because the ball was lodged under the wall.
Oakland starter Mike Fiers allowed six hits and two runs in 7 2/3 innings but did not factor into the decision. He hasn't lost since May 1, which was the start before his no-hitter on May 7 against the Reds. Yusmeiro Petit (3-2) struck out two in two perfect innings for the win.
The Athletics couldn't get anything going against Houston starter Wade Miley and had managed just three singles through eight innings. But the left-hander walked Marcus Semien to start the ninth before he was chased on a single by Matt Chapman. Closer Roberto Osuna took over and was greeted by Olson's shot to the first row of the second deck in right field to put the A's up by 1.
The Astros tied it on a sacrifice fly by Aledmys Diaz in the bottom of the ninth and neither team scored in the 10th before Laureano's tiebreaking hit in the 11th.
Laureano's late-game heroics came after he misplayed a ball that helped Yuli Gurriel collect his first career inside-the-park home run that gave Houston a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
The Astros had a runner on third with one out in the second when Gurriel knocked a line drive to center field that bounced just to the right of a diving Laureano. The ball skipped past him and rolled to the wall in straightaway center. The strong-armed Laureano hopped up and sprinted to grab the ball and threw it to home, but catcher Josh Phegley had to stand up to snag the slightly offline throw and Gurriel slid in behind him.
Gurriel was at a full sprint by the time he rounded second and smiled broadly as he raced home from third. A couple of minutes after the homer, Gurriel was sitting alone in the dugout trying to catch his breath when Robinson Chirinos approached him and draped a wet towel across his neck.
Miley struck out six and walked two in a season-high eight-plus innings.
Fiers settled after the second and retired 13 in a row after a double by Michael Brantley with one out in the third. Houston's next hit came on a single by Max Stassi with two outs in the seventh, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.
Miley retired the first 16 batters he faced before Phegley singled to left field with one out in the sixth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: Houston placed reliever Josh James on the injured list retroactive to Monday with soreness in his right shoulder. Manager AJ Hinch said he was being evaluated by doctors on Tuesday to determine what the cause of his discomfort. ... SS Carlos Correa (fractured rib) continued a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday and is expected to be activated from the injured list on Friday.
UP NEXT
Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt (7-4, 3.96 ERA) will start the series finale on Wednesday. Bassitt got the win in his last start on Friday against Minnesota, allowing five hits and three runs — two earned — in five innings.
Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (12-4, 2.99) is scheduled to start for Houston on Wednesday. Verlander got his 12th win in his last start by allowing eight hits and two runs while fanning 12 in six innings against the Rangers.
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