Brad Peacock (0-1, 7.45) vs Jesse Chavez (0-0, 1.35)
The A's came into this weekend series with the best record in the American League. The Astros came in with the worst. The results, then, really should have been entirely expected. Oakland completes the sweep, and Houston's losing streak is now at 7, with a 4-1 defeat this afternoon. The free-falling Astros are now 5-14 on the season.
On the Mound:
*Good news, at least, in that Brad Peacock did much better today than Lucas Harrell likely would have, in Brad's first start since moving into the rotation. A two-run Josh Donaldson homer in the first inning was the only blemish on his 5 IP / 5 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 3 BB / 4 K day.
*Jerome Williams got the final three frames, allowing one run of his own and one courtesy of a Jason Castro passed ball, finishing with a 3 IP / 5 H / 2 R / 1 ER / 1 BB / 1 K line.
At the Plate:
*Marwin Gonzalez was the man today, going 2x4 with a solo HR that was the only thing keeping the Astros from their third shutout in just over a week.
*George Springer kept his career-spanning 5-game hitting streak alive, going 1x4 with a K, and a shiny diving catch in right field on Oakland's first batter of the game.
*Jose Altuve's perfect stolen base streak was broken, but he did keep his own 5-game hitting streak alive, going 1x4 with a double, a BB, a K, a SB, and a CS.
*Dexter Fowler got his first steal as an Astro, and went 1x2 with 2 BB.
Turning Point:
After George Springer's spectacular catch to rob Coco Crisp for the first out of the 1st, Jed Lowrie followed with a single and Josh Donaldson followed with a homer. Those were the only runs Brad Peacock would allow, but that was more than Houston's offense could overcome against Jesse Chavez and the A's this afternoon.
Man of the Match:
Marwin Gonzalez. Got the start at 3B to give Matt Dominguez the day off, and he capitalized.
Goat of the Game:
Going with Jason Castro. 0x3 with a BB and 2 K, but 4 LOBsters, including two in scoring position in the top 7th. Then in the bottom 7th, his passed ball let in Oakland's fourth run.
