A.J. Griffin (4-3, 3.59) vs Lucas Harrell (3-5, 4.63)
Take consolation in this, Astros fans - Houston has never been swept in a season series longer than six games (and that just once, against Arizona last year). So at some point this season, odds are almost certain that the Astros will beat the A's. That point is just not tonight. In spite of four home runs, Houston falls to Oakland again 11-5, and drops to 14-35 overall.
On the Mound:
*You'd think after two 8-run outings, the worst should be behind for Lucas Harrell. He didn't give up 8 runs tonight, but this was his shortest start of the season by far. A disastrous 2nd inning ended Lucas' night early, along with Houston's hopes, after a 1.2 IP / 6 H / 6 R / 6 ER / 3 BB / 1 K line.
*Edgar Gonzalez got Houston through the 6th, and fared somewhat better than Harrell, but his was still a take-one-for-the-team outing with a 4.1 IP / 8 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 1 BB / 2 K line.
*Travis Blackley gave up a double in a scoreless 7th inning.
*Wesley Wright allowed a RBI double in a one-run 8th.
*Then Hector Ambriz handled the 9th, allowing a single but following with a double play to face the minimum.
*Edgar Gonzalez got Houston through the 6th, and fared somewhat better than Harrell, but his was still a take-one-for-the-team outing with a 4.1 IP / 8 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 1 BB / 2 K line.
*Travis Blackley gave up a double in a scoreless 7th inning.
*Wesley Wright allowed a RBI double in a one-run 8th.
*Then Hector Ambriz handled the 9th, allowing a single but following with a double play to face the minimum.
At the Plate:
*Houston's offense should have been the story tonight, were it not for the abysmal pitching. Jason Castro led the attack with his 5th and 6th home runs of the season, and added a RBI single to finish 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and a K.
*Matt Dominguez matched Castro's feat, blasting his 6th and 7th home runs of the season, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a K.
*Jose Altuve doubled and scored a run, also adding a single to go 2 for 5.
*Robbie Grossman is up to a five-game hitting streak (and eight-game on-base streak) again, after going 1 for 5 with a K tonight.
*Jimmy Paredes had the other hit, going 1 for 4 with 2 K.
*Matt Dominguez matched Castro's feat, blasting his 6th and 7th home runs of the season, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a K.
*Jose Altuve doubled and scored a run, also adding a single to go 2 for 5.
*Robbie Grossman is up to a five-game hitting streak (and eight-game on-base streak) again, after going 1 for 5 with a K tonight.
*Jimmy Paredes had the other hit, going 1 for 4 with 2 K.
Turning Point:
After a 1-2-3 1st, the 2nd went south very quickly for Harrell. The sequence went like this: single, single, walk, double, single, RBI ground out, single, fly out, walk, single, walk. The damage totalled six runs before Edgar Gonzalez came on for the final out.
Man of the Match:
Jason Castro. Now hitting .299 with 5 HR since April 21.
Goat of the Game:
Lucas Harrell. After a mostly dominant April, he's been alternating good and bad starts in May.
