HOUSTON, Texas– When the 8th inning started in Houston on Friday, neither the Athletics (2-7) or the Astros (6-2) had an advantage. Both Starters, Lance McCullers Jr. and Sean Manaea, had given up only one run before handing the ball off to the bullpen. The bullpen matchup seemed to favor the Astros; three of the A’s relievers were recently added to the injured list, including closer Trevor Rosenthal.
However, the 8th inning was when the A’s struck. After reliever Bryan Abreu gave up a single, he struck out Ramon Laureano before giving way to Blake Taylor. That was who the A’s were ready for, as Taylor gave up another base hit immediately. Then it was time for Matt Olson, who clobbered a 414 foot 3-run home run to right-centerfield. The A’s would grab 2 more runs in the 9th to secure a 6-2 victory.
For Olson, the home run was his first of the year. He led the team statistically with 2 hits, 3 RBIs, and the home run. Mark Canha and Jed Lowrie both had 2 hits and scored 2 runs; Canha added 2 RBIs on a home run while Lowrie had 1 RBI on a home run in the 4th.
A’s Break Opening Season Slump
Through 8 games, the A’s had a problem at the plate. Scoring runs was an extra burden to them; they had only scraped 19 across the plate to start the season. At 2.38 runs per game, they had the worst offense in baseball entering Friday.
In the matchup with the Astros, the bats finally came alive. Three different A’s homered while the lineup produced 7 hits overall. The 6 runs scored marks the high for the A’s this season.
“Things are turning up for us, finally, after such a tough start,” said Matt Olson.
The win is the first for the A’s against the Astros in 6 tries. Tomorrow, they will try to earn their first series win of the year by upsetting the Astros for the 2nd night in a row.
Astros Bullpen Suffers a Setback
This early in the year, not many definitive statements can be made. However, one that seems pretty obvious already is the Astros bullpen is lacking in crucial spots. And, with a highly completive team like the Astros, that is something to address moving forward.
Late reliever Joe Smith has been lackluster in his return to the diamond. After opting out last season, fans hoped he could return to a dominant role to close out games. However, he has struggled in those roles this year. On Monday, he picked up the loss against the Angels after failing to retire a batter. On Friday, trying to keep the deficit at 3, he gave up a 9th inning bomb to Canha.
Moving forward, the Astros will hope to find a reliable back end to their bullpen. Hopefully, Smith can return to his steady ways. He has played more games than any active player in his 14-year career, with 2014 being his best. He picked up 3 wins that year while racking up 68 K’s for the Angels.
Up Next
A’s @ Astros, Saturday, April 10, Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
