Jeremy Peña (left) homered twice and Yordan Alvarez also went deep as the Astros blew out the Athletics on Saturday to stay in a first-place tie with the Rangers heading into the regular-season finale.
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WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Behind the three hitters who have carried their offense all season, and the right-hander who has buoyed their rotation since returning from surgery, the Houston Astros kept pace Saturday in an American League West race that will come down to the season’s final day.
With a 13-2 win over the A’s at Sutter Health Park, the Astros maintained a first-place tie with the Texas Rangers, against whom they hold the tiebreaker. Houston can clinch the division with a win Sunday, regardless of Texas’ result against the Twins, or if both teams lose in game 162.
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“Simple as win and you’re in, baby,” said starter Hayden Wesneski, who threw seven innings Saturday. “That’s it, don’t make it too complicated.”
Texas’ win Saturday went final before first pitch in West Sacramento, requiring the Astros to respond or risk entering the regular-season finale in dire position. They did, as Wesneski subdued the A’s offense and gave his own top-heavy lineup time to mount an onslaught.
Houston hit five home runs. Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes homered in the first three innings against A’s starter Jack Perkins to create a 3-0 lead. Wesneski limited a fourth-inning threat to a run. Yordan Alvarez blasted a three-run home run in the fifth to open up the type of wide advantage the Astros coveted.
It allowed more room for Wesneski to work. And he was highly efficient. The latter was invaluable for a team that will start Peter Lambert, who threw 62 pitches on Thursday, in game 162 on two days’ rest. If the Astros have to rely on their bullpen Sunday, a likely scenario, it will be rested thanks to Wesneski.
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“That’s exactly what we needed,” manager Joe Espada said. “Able to reset our bullpen and go into the last game of the season in really good shape.”
Wesneski worked seven innings on 82 pitches, allowing two runs. He threw 12 or fewer pitches in five of seven frames, regularly getting Houston’s offense back to work in a hitter-friendly minor-league ballpark. It was his third start of seven innings in 11 outings since returning from elbow surgery.
The Astros added on, as well, totaling 16 hits. Peña, Alvarez and Paredes combined for nine hits, scored eight runs and drove in eight. Peña finished 4-for-6 with a pair of two-run home runs. Jose Altuve drove in two runs, as did Lucas Spence, who hit his fourth home run of the series.
“We feel good about ourselves,” Peña said. “We’re going to get some rest, we have an early one tomorrow, and yeah, all hands on deck.”
Ronel Blanco pitched the final two innings for Houston, preserving the rest of its relief corps for Sunday.
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“We didn’t want to be in this situation, but that’s what it came down to,” Alvarez said, through an interpreter. “And tomorrow is do or die.”
Houston
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
41
13
16
13
4
13
Peña ss
6
4
4
4
0
1
.276
Alvarez dh
5
2
2
3
0
2
.316
Paredes 3b
5
2
3
1
0
1
.263
Allen 3b
0
0
0
0
0
0
.278
Altuve 2b
4
1
2
2
1
0
.250
Diaz c
5
0
2
0
0
1
.283
Walker 1b
4
0
1
1
0
1
.224
Spence cf
5
1
2
2
0
3
.208
Smith rf
3
2
0
0
2
2
.208
Trammell lf
2
0
0
0
0
2
.194
a-Velázquez ph
1
0
0
0
0
0
.188
Barrosa lf
1
1
0
0
1
0
.194
Athletics
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
32
2
6
2
2
8
Bolte cf-rf
3
0
2
0
1
1
.280
Butler rf
3
1
0
0
0
0
.235
b-Kuroda-Grauer ph-2b
1
0
0
0
0
0
.373
Langeliers dh
4
0
0
0
0
2
.261
McNeil 2b
2
0
0
0
1
0
.266
c-Clarke ph-cf
1
0
0
0
0
0
.149
Gelof 3b
4
1
2
1
0
1
.259
Walton ss
4
0
0
0
0
1
.263
Cortes lf
4
0
0
0
0
1
.252
White 1b
3
0
2
1
0
1
.257
Heim c
3
0
0
0
0
1
.204
Houston
102
030
331_13
16
1
Athletics
000
100
100_2
6
0
a-lined out for Trammell in the 6th. b-flied out for Butler in the 8th. c-grounded out for McNeil in the 8th.
E_Peña (13). LOB_Houston 6, Athletics 5. 2B_Walker (26), Spence (2), Alvarez (34). HR_Paredes (25), off Perkins; Peña (21), off Perkins; Alvarez (42), off Perkins; Peña (22), off Tur; Spence (4), off Tur. RBIs_Paredes (94), Peña 4 (55), Alvarez 3 (105), Altuve 2 (49), Walker (86), Spence 2 (10), Gelof (55), White (10). SB_Smith (12). CS_Altuve (4). SF_Walker.
Runners left in scoring position_Houston 5 (Walker, Smith 2, Velázquez 2); Athletics 1 (Walton). RISP_Houston 6 for 12; Athletics 1 for 3.
LIDP_Walton. GIDP_Heim.
DP_Houston 2 (Walker; Paredes, Altuve, Walker).
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
7
6
2
1
1
5
82
3.25
2
0
0
0
1
3
30
6.68
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
5
5
6
6
3
9
94
6.10
2
0
0
0
2
17
2.75
1
5
3
3
0
0
25
5.94
2
4
4
4
1
2
46
16.34
Inherited runners-scored_Rom 2-0, Tur 2-0. WP_Tur.
ABS Challenge_Perkins (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Trammell (Strike-Confirmed); Blewett (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Spence (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Blanco (Ball-Overturned to Strike).
Umpires_Home, Gabe Morales; First, Ryan Additon; Second, Will Little; Third, Ryan Wills.
T_2:48. A_12,025 (14,014).
How did Hayden Wesneski pitch?
Wesneski recorded his first nine outs on 20 pitches, setting a tone. He worked five-pitch innings in both the second and third, with the A’s swinging early and putting the ball in play. Donovan Walton lined into a double play to end the second. Jonah Heim grounded into one to finish the third, with Altuve — whose drop on a possible double play Friday proved costly in a loss — executing a deft turn this time.
More infield adventures ensued in the fourth. Henry Bolte hit a leadoff single. Three of the next four A’s hitters bounced grounders to Peña at shortstop. The first yielded one out at second base. Peña bobbled the next, leaving two on with one out. A walk to Jeff McNeil loaded the bases. Peña took Zack Gelof’s grounder to second base himself, but his throw to first sailed wide.
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It pared the Astros’ lead to 3-1. Wesneski kept it there by inducing a groundout from Walton with his 21st pitch of the inning. He did not allow another man into scoring position until the seventh, by which point Houston held an eight-run lead. He threw 71% strikes, started 21 of 27 batters with a strike and recorded 10 outs via ground ball, an enviable formula with the ball flying.
“Amazing job,” Peña said. “He went above and beyond today. He saved our bullpen, everyone’s fresh for tomorrow. And like I said, all hands on deck. Game 162, must win.”
Wesneski posted a 3.25 ERA in 11 starts after joining the Astros’ rotation in late July. Houston went 8-3 in games he started, making the right-hander a critical element if this team does reach the postseason.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez gets high-fives in the dugout after hitting a 3-run home run during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) reacts after hitting a RBI double during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) hits a RBI double during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) hits a sac-RBI during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) hits a sac-RBI during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) reacts after hitting a single during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits a single during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits a single during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) beats the tag by Athletics catcher Jonah Heim (15) to score on Jose Altuve’s RBI single during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) beats the tag by Athletics catcher Jonah Heim (15) to score on Jose Altuve’s RBI single during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI single during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez, right, gets a hug from Jeremy Peña after hitting a 3-run home run during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez, right, celebrates with Isaac Paredes after hitting a 3-run home run during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a 3-run home run during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) hits a single during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Isaac Paredes get high-fives in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) is seen during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) reacts after first baseman Christian Walker makes a play on Athletics Donovan Walton’s ground ball to end the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) reacts after loading the bases during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after misfielding Athletics Shea Langeliers’s fielder’s choice during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after misfielding Athletics Shea Langeliers’s fielder’s choice during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) draws a walk during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) reacts after striking out during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña, right, celebrates with Cam Smith after hitting 2-run home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) hits a 2-run home run during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Cam Smith (11) draws a walk during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) reacts after striking out against Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Isaac Paredes (15) gestures toward the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Isaac Paredes, right, gets high-five from Jose Altuve after hitting a solo home run off Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Isaac Paredes hits a solo home run off Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) is seen in the dugout during the ninth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) reacts after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros relief pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) delivers during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros relief pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) delivers during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27)hits a RBI single during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27)hits a RBI single during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a double during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after hitting a 2-run home run during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after hitting a 2-run home run during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) hits a 2-run home run during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Feast or famine against Jack Perkins
Perkins, the A’s right-hander, entered with a 6.48 ERA in his 16 starts this season. He owned a 7.05 ERA in 60 innings at Sutter Health Park. The Astros did not dominate him. Perkins struck out nine and induced a career-high 22 whiffs on 47 swings. Three swings that did connect delivered the damage against him.
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Paredes sent a cutter over the left-field wall in the first inning for his 25th home run of the season, raising his RBI total to 94. Just four AL hitters ended the night with more: Pete Alonso, Alvarez, Junior Caminero and Ben Rice. Paredes set a career high of 98 RBIs with the Rays in 2023.
Perkins induced eight whiffs on 13 swings against his sweeper. But he hung one in the third to Peña, who drove it 417 feet to center field for his 21st home run of the season. Peña was 1-for-10 over his previous two games since being hit on the right forearm by a pitch in Seattle.
Alvarez struck out in each of his first two at-bats against Perkins. He waved at a sweeper in the first and took one for a called third strike in the second. In the third, Perkins got ahead 1-2 and placed a sinker at the bottom of the zone.
It appeared to clip the bottom of the zone. But it was called a ball, and the A’s did not challenge. Perkins’ next pitch was a sweeper over the plate. Alvarez arced it 401 feet onto the grassy berm beyond the right-field wall, giving his club a five-run lead.
“We felt like he was going to challenge, and obviously he didn’t,” Alvarez said. “And I think it’ something that, next pitch, it definitely changed the complexion of the game there.”
Yordan Alvarez keeps climbing
Barring an outrageous showing Sunday, it appears Alvarez will fall short of the Triple Crown. He leads the American League in batting average but trails Pete Alonso by one home run and eight RBIs going into the regular-season finale. That in no way diminishes the season Alvarez has authored.
Alvarez ended the night with a .316 batting average, 42 home runs and 105 RBIs. He leads all qualified major-league hitters in average, on-base percentage (.432) and slugging percentage (.604). His OPS of 1.036 is more than 90 points higher than the next-highest MLB hitter, Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Alvarez is tied for the fifth-most home runs in a season in Astros franchise history. Only Jeff Bagwell (47), Lance Berkman (45), Richard Hidalgo (44) and Bagwell (43) have hit more in a season. Alvarez surpassed his previous career high of 104 RBIs, which he set in 2021.
Alvarez will enter the season’s final day in position to become the third player in Astros franchise history to win a batting title, joining Jose Altuve — who has three — and Yuli Gurriel. He has a 10-point lead over the Rays’ Chandler Simpson among qualified AL hitters.
“It’s something that I’ve always really wanted,” Alvarez said. “And I’m really close right now.”