Athletics 5, Astros 4: Euphoria turns to misery in the ninth inning for Astros

"It's just a game," someone told me once as I argued a call during a elective softball class in college. Sure, they were right. Sure, they were right. But the game meant more to me then just a game. I gave my all and wasn't rewarded for it, so it felt like more then a game.

Sunday's Astros game reminds fans that have been following this Astros team throughout the 'process' that what we are watching it isn't just a game. The attachment to the game is too strong for it to just be a game -- something you can pick up and put back down at your own convenience. The Astros' 5-4 loss cut deeper than that.

Everything was going correctly for the Astros on the mound. Mike Fiers made his first start as an Astro. He was scheduled to pitch in the Rangers' series but had to pitch in relief of Lance McCullers on August 3 -- McCullers last only a 1/3 of an inning that game.

Fiers was strong, allowing just one run over 6 2/3 innings. Danny Valencia picked up that one run on a home run. Carlos Correa answered with a double, scoring Altuve. Altuve was aggressive on the basepaths.

That same aggressiveness play backfired as Altuve was throw out at second, trying to steal it in the eight. The A's would take the lead back in the eight. Wither runners on the corners and no outs. Billly Burns singled up the middle. Josh Reddick would plate two more in the inning with a double.

Colby Rasmus answered with a three-run home run to put the Astros in the lead. The excitement was at a all-time high.

Only thing thing left to do was to close up shop, and Luke Gregerson was the an ith the keys. The first two runners reached base, one scored on a Reddick hit and an another scored on a Valencia hit. Riddick tied the game with a single and Valencia put the A's in front for good. The A's win.

The Astros fell 5-4 and moved on to face Madison Bumgarner in game one.