Astros 10, Athletics 6: Astros explode on A's bullpen

The Houston Astros need to get their confidence back, a win would go a long way to doing that. It would be a tall order against Oakland Athletics' Sonny Gray. But the Astros seemed up to the task in the first inning.

Gray couldn't find the strike zone and walked three, Jose Altuve and Jed Lowrie doubled -- scoring two. Lowrie followed home after wild pitch, an error, and a fielder's interference. The Astros were in the catbird seat with a 3-0 lead after one.

The only problem with that is baseball is nine innings long. The A's would score 6 runs over four innings -- forcing Scott Kazmir out after 3 ⅔ innings.

The Astros would attempt to answer back, scoring two runs in the 5th inning. Matt Duffy pinch hit for Jason Castro, collecting his first major league hit. Duffy ripped a double off the Houston Chronicle sign just left of the Crawford Boxes. Altuve stranded pinch runner Jake Marisnick at second.

Evan Gattis completed the comeback with a three-run home run just out of the reach of the right fielder Craig Gentry. An appropriate turn of events on Evan Gattis bobblehead night.

Max Stassi picked up his first major league home run in the eighth, one of two runs Houston scored in the inning.

Luke Gregerson completed the ninth inning in a non-save situation. But it was the first appearance he has made since since the birth of his child, Logan John over the weekend.

The Astros win for the first time in five games, and send Collin McHugh out for Sunday's start against Aaron Brooks.