{"id":414316,"date":"2026-08-23T02:54:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T02:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/414316\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T02:54:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T02:54:42","slug":"houston-astros-lose-late-lead-squander-chance-to-add-to-al-west-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/414316\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Astros lose late lead, squander chance to add to AL West lead"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img alt=\"Bennett Sousa faced four batters Saturday. with three coming around to score and erase a two-run Astros lead in the eighth inning.\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-gray200 mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Bennett Sousa faced four batters Saturday. with three coming around to score and erase a two-run Astros lead in the eighth inning.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n<p>A tied game after six innings became a battle of bullpens. The scenario favored one side. Just two major-league bullpens began Saturday with a lower ERA than the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/astros\/\" data-link=\"native\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Houston Astros<\/a>\u2019 since June 1. The A\u2019s bullpen had the sport\u2019s highest ERA in that span by more than a run.<\/p>\n<p>The A\u2019s bullpen blinked. Houston\u2019s fell harder.<\/p>\n<p>Trailing by two runs in the eighth inning, the A\u2019s mounted a three-run rally to wrest a 4-3 win from the Astros and even a three-game series at Daikin Park. It marked just the fourth loss when leading after seven innings this season for the Astros, who are 65-65 and maintained a one-game AL West lead due only to the Rangers\u2019 loss.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Houston totaled six hits in falling to the itinerant A\u2019s, who have the worst record in the majors and are 10-38 across their last 48 games. The loss ensured the Astros a losing record on a nine-game homestand against the Mariners, Angels and A\u2019s, on which they are 3-5 entering the finale Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Hunter Brown held the A\u2019s to one run across 5 \u2154 innings, weaving through traffic on the basepaths. A\u2019s left-hander Jacob Lopez matched his effort, spinning six innings of one-run ball while limiting the Astros\u2019 sputtering lineup to three hits.<\/p>\n<p>The A\u2019s turned to their bullpen in the seventh. Daulton Varsho greeted Luis Medina by sending the right-hander\u2019s fourth pitch into the Crawford Boxes for a tiebreaking home run. Jeremy Pe\u00f1a added a two-out RBI single that made it 3-1.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Houston had used four relievers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/astros\/article\/houston-athletics-score-22397611.php\" data-link=\"native\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">to finish a win Friday<\/a>, including left-handers Steven Okert and Bennett Sousa. Both had pitched twice in the past three days. Okert leads Houston in appearances, however, so with a left-handed heavy pocket due, Sousa drew the eighth inning.<\/p>\n<p>Jeff McNeil lined a leadoff single. Sousa lost Zack Gelof on a seven-pitch walk. A sacrifice bunt advanced both ahead of left-handed hitting Lawrence Butler. One run scored without a swing. Sousa sailed his 94 mph fastball for a wild pitch that let McNeil sprint home.<\/p>\n<p>Butler then pulled a sharp grounder to the right of first baseman Christian Walker, who had it glance off his glove for a single, scoring Gelof. Houston summoned Bryan Abreu. Tommy White beat his two-strike slider for a double that moved Butler to third base.<\/p>\n<p>The Astros shaded their infield in. Jonah Heim struck a chopper to shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a, who looked home but did not throw there. Pe\u00f1a took the out at first base as Butler crossed with the go-ahead run. Houston never threatened after that, as its final six hitters were retired in order.<\/p>\n<p>Athletics<br \/>\nAB<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nH<br \/>\nBI<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nAvg.<\/p>\n<p>Totals<br \/>\n32<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n10<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n8<\/p>\n<p>Bolte cf<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.264<\/p>\n<p>McNeil 2b-1b<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.262<\/p>\n<p>Gelof 3b-lf<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.262<\/p>\n<p>Cortes lf<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.262<\/p>\n<p>a-Williams ph-ss<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.261<\/p>\n<p>Butler rf<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.219<\/p>\n<p>White 1b-3b<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.265<\/p>\n<p>Heim c<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.204<\/p>\n<p>Walton ss-2b<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.283<\/p>\n<p>Muncy dh<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.214<\/p>\n<p>Houston<br \/>\nAB<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nH<br \/>\nBI<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nAvg.<\/p>\n<p>Totals<br \/>\n34<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n14<\/p>\n<p>Pe\u00f1a ss<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n.283<\/p>\n<p>Alvarez dh<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.319<\/p>\n<p>Paredes 3b<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.260<\/p>\n<p>Altuve 2b<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.245<\/p>\n<p>Walker 1b<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.234<\/p>\n<p>Varsho cf<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.232<\/p>\n<p>Diaz c<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n.254<\/p>\n<p>Smith rf<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n.216<\/p>\n<p>Wade lf<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n.222<\/p>\n<p>Trammell lf<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n.210<\/p>\n<p>Athletics<br \/>\n001<br \/>\n000<br \/>\n030_4<br \/>\n10<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>Houston<br \/>\n000<br \/>\n100<br \/>\n200_3<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">a-sacrificed for Cortes in the 8th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">E_Gelof (8). LOB_Athletics 7, Houston 6. 2B_White (3), Diaz (10), Wade (5). HR_Walton (4), off Brown; Varsho (9), off Medina. RBIs_Walton (18), Butler (37), Heim (40), Diaz (29), Varsho (30), Pe\u00f1a (41). S_Williams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Runners left in scoring position_Athletics 3 (Walton, Heim 2); Houston 3 (Wade, Smith, Paredes). RISP_Athletics 2 for 11; Houston 1 for 6.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Runners moved up_White, Heim, Smith. GIDP_Cortes, White, Walton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">DP_Houston 3 (Pe\u00f1a, Walker; Walker, Pe\u00f1a, Walker; Walker, Pe\u00f1a).<\/p>\n<p>IP<\/p>\n<p>H<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nER<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nNP<br \/>\nERA<\/p>\n<p>6<\/p>\n<p>3<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n9<br \/>\n91<br \/>\n4.98<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>3<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n26<br \/>\n3.77<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n11<br \/>\n3.72<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n13<br \/>\n4.29<\/p>\n<p>IP<\/p>\n<p>H<br \/>\nR<br \/>\nER<br \/>\nBB<br \/>\nSO<br \/>\nNP<br \/>\nERA<\/p>\n<p>5<\/p>\n<p>7<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n101<br \/>\n3.51<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n19<br \/>\n3.29<\/p>\n<p>2<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n12<br \/>\n4.86<\/p>\n<p>1<\/p>\n<p>1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n22<br \/>\n4.07<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Inherited runners-scored_Blubaugh 2-0, Abreu 1-1. IBB_off Medina (Alvarez). WP_Sousa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">ABS Challenge_Brown (Ball-Confirmed); Brown (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Bolte (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Lopez (Ball-Confirmed); Altuve (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Abreu (Ball-Confirmed).<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Pitch timer violations_Medina (pitcher).<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">Umpires_Home, Will Little; First, Ryan Wills; Second, Ryan Additon; Third, Jonathan Parra.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-ind\">T_2:50. A_31,009 (41,000).<\/p>\n<p>An encouraging swing from Daulton Varsho<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/sports\/astros\/article\/houston-trade-deadline-daulton-varsho-22345787.php\" data-link=\"native\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Acquired at the trade deadline<\/a> to fortify Houston\u2019s outfield, Varsho hit .143 with a .458 OPS over his first 16 games with the club. Before Saturday\u2019s game, manager Joe Espada suggested that Varsho\u2019s recent at-bats had been better, noting that he had \u201cmade some really solid contact the other way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Varsho then backed that statement twice in his first two at-bats. He lined a single to left field in his first at-bat against Lopez. In the seventh, Varsho drove a 97.5 mph fastball from Medina an estimated 358 feet the opposite way into the Crawford Boxes for his second home run with the Astros.<\/p>\n<p>It marked the first multi-hit game for Varsho since he was traded to Houston from the Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) hits a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"eager\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) hits a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Joe Espada (19) talks with starting pitcher Hunter Brown alongside catcher Yainer Diaz during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Joe Espada (19) talks with starting pitcher Hunter Brown alongside catcher Yainer Diaz during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) reacts after hitting a RBI double during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) reacts after hitting a RBI double during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) scores on Jeremy Pe\u00f1a\u2019s RBI double during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) scores on Jeremy Pe\u00f1a\u2019s RBI double during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Daulton Varsho, right, celebrates with Cam Smith after hitting a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Daulton Varsho, right, celebrates with Cam Smith after hitting a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros relief pitcher AJ Blubaugh (69) delivers during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros relief pitcher AJ Blubaugh (69) delivers during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) is seen in the dugout after some confusion after manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) is seen in the dugout after some confusion after manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) is seen in the dugout after some confusion after manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) is seen in the dugout after some confusion after manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Joe Espada (19) is seen as he talks with first baseman Christian Walker after pulling starting pitcher Hunter Brown during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Joe Espada (19) is seen as he talks with first baseman Christian Walker after pulling starting pitcher Hunter Brown during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts as he walks to the dugout after some confusion after manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts as he walks to the dugout after some confusion after manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) talks with umpire Will Little after some confusion when manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) talks with umpire Will Little after some confusion when manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts toward umpire Will Little alongside catcher Yainer Diaz after some confusion when manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) reacts toward umpire Will Little alongside catcher Yainer Diaz after some confusion when manager Joe Espada pointed to Brown and came out of the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Joe Espada (19) jogs back to the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Joe Espada (19) jogs back to the dugout during the sixth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Cam Smith (11) reacts after striking out to end the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Cam Smith (11) reacts after striking out to end the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) reacts after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) reacts after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) tosses his bat after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) tosses his bat after hitting an RBI double during the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits an RBI double during the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits an RBI double during the fourth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) gets a high-five from first baseman Christian Walker after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofct bgsct block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) gets a high-five from first baseman Christian Walker after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) smiles toward first baseman Christian Walker after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) smiles toward first baseman Christian Walker after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) gives a fist pump toward first baseman Christian Walker after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) gives a fist pump toward first baseman Christian Walker after completing a double play on Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) completes a double play on a ground ball by Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) completes a double play on a ground ball by Athletics Carlos Cortes\u2019 ground ball to end the top of the third inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) reacts after striking out with the bases loaded to end the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) reacts after striking out with the bases loaded to end the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) claps after striking out Athletics Jonah Heim to end the top of the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) claps after striking out Athletics Jonah Heim to end the top of the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) fields throw to fist to get out Athletics Tommy White (47) during the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) fields throw to fist to get out Athletics Tommy White (47) during the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) makes a play on a single by Athletics Lawrence Butler (4) during the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) makes a play on a single by Athletics Lawrence Butler (4) during the second inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) looks make a play on Athletics Lawrence Butler\u2019s single during the first inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) looks make a play on Athletics Lawrence Butler\u2019s single during the first inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers during the first inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) reacts after striking out to end the top of the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) reacts after striking out to end the top of the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) reacts after striking out to end the top of the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Daulton Varsho (18) reacts after striking out to end the top of the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu (52) delivers during the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu (52) delivers during the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Bennett Sousa (62) reacts after giving up an RBI single to Athletics Lawrence Butler to tie the game 3-3 during the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Bennett Sousa (62) reacts after giving up an RBI single to Athletics Lawrence Butler to tie the game 3-3 during the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Bennett Sousa (62) reacts after giving up an RBI single to Athletics Lawrence Butler to tie the game 3-3 during the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Bennett Sousa (62) reacts after giving up an RBI single to Athletics Lawrence Butler to tie the game 3-3 during the eighth inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Daulton Varsho, right, gets a high-five from manager Joe Espada after hitting a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Daulton Varsho, right, gets a high-five from manager Joe Espada after hitting a solo home run off Athletics relief pitcher Luis Medina to break a 1-1 tie during the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Chris Williams wheels his dog, Sebastian, before a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Chris Williams wheels his dog, Sebastian, before a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Carlos Correa runs before a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Carlos Correa runs before a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<img alt=\"Houston Astros Carlos Correa runs before a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston Astros Carlos Correa runs before a MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, August. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n<p>Strange end to Hunter Brown\u2019s strong start<\/p>\n<p>Brown, who has struggled to command his four-seam fastball, dialed back its usage Saturday. He threw 28 on 101 pitches and used his sinker 38% of the time, compared to a 29% season rate. The result was not many whiffs\u00a0\u2014 six on 48 swings\u00a0\u2014 but a lot of weak contact. The A\u2019s put 17 balls in play against Brown with an 83.3 mph average exit velocity. He recorded 10 of 17 outs via groundball.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Donovan Walton drove in the lone run against Brown, sending a first-pitch sinker 422 feet over the wall in right-center to lead off the third. Brown did allow seven hits and walk three batters. He navigated the traffic in part by inducing three double-play grounders. He did not get a chance to defuse his last jam in the sixth inning.<\/p>\n<p>With two outs and a runner on first, Tommy White lined a single on Brown\u2019s 101st pitch. Espada emerged from the dugout and jogged to the mound, first pointing toward the right side of the field. After a brief discussion at the mound, Espada turned back intending to leave Brown in the game. The umpiring crew conferred, however, and ruled Espada had pointed to his bullpen.<\/p>\n<p>Espada appeared to argue that he had not pointed to the bullpen. But umpires required him to make a pitching change. AJ Blubaugh, who had been warming, relieved Brown and got Jonah Heim to pop out.<\/p>\n<p>Brown pared his ERA to 3.51 through 74 \u2154 innings this season. He did throw his four-seamer more for strikes, locating 54% of the ones he threw in-zone, per Statcast. A\u2019s hitters chased against him at a 33% clip, though their 13% whiff rate was half what Brown had generated in his previous outings this season. Brown finished one out short of his sixth quality start.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Lopez subdues Astros&#8217; bats<\/p>\n<p>Espada described Lopez pregame as \u201ca tough at-bat.\u201d The low-release-angle lefty entered Saturday in the 99th percentile of pitchers at subduing exit velocity. Working with a fastball that averaged 89.5 mph and a slider that he threw 44% of the time, Lopez limited the Astros to one run in his six innings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Yainer Diaz drove it in with a two-out double in the fourth. The only other hits Lopez allowed were back-to-back singles by Christian Walker and Varsho to begin the second. Lopez walked one batter and struck out nine. He induced 15 whiffs on 43 swings, including 11 on 23 swings against his slider.<\/p>\n<p>Lopez did not complete six innings in any of his first 15 starts this season. He has done so in each of his last three outings, however, allowing a total of five runs in those 20 innings. After Diaz\u2019s double tied the game, Lopez retired his final seven hitters in order. His 91 pitches prevented a return for the seventh.<\/p>\n<p>Jeremy Pe\u00f1a returns to lineup<\/p>\n<p>Pe\u00f1a was back in the Astros lineup after missing two games with right hand soreness from a hit-by-pitch Wednesday. Pe\u00f1a was hit on the right hand, near the middle knuckle, by a 100 mph sinker from Walbert Ure\u00f1a and was experiencing soreness swinging a bat. Espada said Pe\u00f1a took swings in the cage Saturday before being cleared to return to the lineup.<\/p>\n<p>Pe\u00f1a entered the day in a 5-for-52 funk over his last 13 games, with three walks and 16 strikeouts in that span. He struck out three times against Lopez, twice going around on high fastballs and once swinging at a slider. In the seventh, he faced Medina with two out and LaMonte Wade Jr. on second base following a double. In a 1-2 count, Pe\u00f1a lined a changeup softly into center field for a single, scoring Wade.<\/p>\n<p>Tripling down on double plays<\/p>\n<p>Brown induced 18 double-play grounders last season, tied for fourth-most in the American League. He entered Saturday having induced five in 68 \u2154 innings this season \u2014 then recorded three over a three-inning span to navigate some hazardous innings.<\/p>\n<p>After allowing back-to-back singles to begin the second, Brown spun a slider that coaxed a comebacker from Tommy White and started a 1-6-3 double play. He struck out Jonah Heim swinging at a four-seam fastball to end the inning.<\/p>\n<p>The A\u2019s followed Walton\u2019s home run in the third by loading the bases with no outs on two singles and a walk. Brown escaped without further damage. A sinker to Zack Gelof got a pop-up. Carlos Cortes pulled his curveball to first baseman Christian Walker, who started a 3-6-3 double play.<\/p>\n<p>Walker also lunged to his right to start a 3-6-1 double play, with Brown covering first, to end the fourth inning with a runner on third base. It marked Brown\u2019s third career start with three double-play ground balls, the other two occurring in his rookie season in 2023.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bennett Sousa faced four batters Saturday. with three coming around to score and erase a two-run Astros lead&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":414317,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57],"class_list":["post-414316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=414316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414316\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/414317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=414316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=414316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=414316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}