Nick Kurtz hit a two-run homer, Brent Rooker added extra-base damage including a solo shot, and Gage Jump delivered 6 1/3 scoreless innings as the Athletics beat the Houston Astros 5-0 Sunday to avoid a series sweep.
HOUSTON — By the time the Athletics had turned a few clean swings into a steady lead, the moment felt less like a normal win and more like rescue.
Nick Kurtz got it started in the third inning with his 12th home run of the year. a 389-foot line drive to right-center that scored Alika Williams and put Oakland up 2-0. Later in the same inning. Brent Rooker extended the advantage with an RBI double that scored Shea Langeliers. pushing the Athletics to a 3-0 lead.
Houston couldn’t find a way back. In the fourth, Zack Gelof scored on a fielding error by shortstop Jeremy Peña, and in the fifth Rooker added his 397-foot solo home run to leave the Astros with a final score of 5-0.
On the mound, Gage Jump (2-1) gave the offense room to breathe. He worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out three. The 23-year-old left-hander has allowed just one run in his past 13 1/3 innings pitched.
Houston’s Mike Burrows (3-8) was hit hard from the start of the damage. He allowed all five runs on eight hits in five innings, and Burrows has now given up 17 home runs in 13 starts this season, with 11 coming on his four-seam fastball. His ERA sits at 5.77 in 73 1/3 innings.
The Astros managed four hits in their fifth shutout loss of the season.
There was also an injury moment in the middle innings. Houston second baseman Nick Allen left the game in the third inning with left hamstring discomfort after running to first base, and Taylor Trammell took over as a pinch-runner.
The Athletics’ win prevented a series sweep.
Next, the Astros send Spencer Arrighetti to the mound in the series opener against the Angels on Monday. Arrighetti enters with a 7-1 record and a 1.94 ERA. For Oakland. Jeffrey Springs starts the team’s series opener against the Brewers on Monday. carrying a 3-6 mark and a 4.37 ERA against Kyle Harrison. who is 7-1 with a 1.57 ERA.
Athletics Astros Gage Jump Nick Kurtz Brent Rooker MLB shutout Spencer Arrighetti Jeffrey Springs Kyle Harrison
Wow 5-0 shutout, that’s crazy. Astros just can’t hit sometimes.
I didn’t even realize Athletics were that close to something. The part about the 397-foot shot was wild though, like how do you even pitch around that?
So like… Peña messed up the fielding and that’s why it was 5-0? I thought errors are rare in MLB but apparently not. Also Gage Jump sounds like he’s the only reason they won, which is probably why Astros got swept even though they still had a pitcher with a decent record.
The injuries part is scary, left hamstring and all. But honestly I’m confused why they’re talking about the next series against the Angels like that fixes anything? Like if Arrighetti is 7-1 and 1.94 ERA then why did he even matter here? Sounds like MLB just loves making up stats.