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The Houston Astros could have easily been swept by the scrappy Oakland Athletics. The Astros need a dramatic three-run comeback in the ninth to win on Friday and needed two late runs for a win on Sunday as well. Houston tied the game at 1-1 in ninth and scored one in 10th to win 2-1 over the Athletics.
The game's two starting pitchers Sean Manaea and Dallas Keuchel dueled through seven inning. Manaea allowed five hits, six strikeouts, and walked none. Keuchel posted his fourth-straight quality start with one run allowed on four hits, two walks while striking out five over seven innings.
The A's picked up the only run in the first seven innings. In the sixth inning, Matt McBride singled to lead off the frame. Coco Crisp bunted McBride to second, and Marcus Semien singled to left to score the one run.
The Astros had been 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position entering the ninth inning. Neither team had an extra base hit throughout the game. But the Astros broke both streaks in the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth with one out, Carlos Gomez beat out an infield single to shortstop Marcus Semien. Gomez stole second and moved to third on a fly ball to right from Luis Valbuena. Evan Gattis doubled down the line to score Gomez. A.J. Reed pinch hit for Danny Worth but sent the game to the 10th inning with a strikeout.
Will Harris had a 1-2-3 inning in the 10th setting the table for the offense. Jake Marisnick singled to center to put a runner on with no outs. George Springer struck out but Marisnick stole second on strike three. Marwin Gonzalez grounded out to first, allowing Marisnick to move to third. A's pitcher Liam Hendriks intentionally walked Jose Altuve.
All the pressure was put on Carlos Correa. Correa grounded sharply to third baseman Danny Valencia. Valencia throw pulled the first baseman off the bag, allowing Marisnick to the score. The Astros head to the All-Star break with a 48-41 record. After the team started 7-17 in April, the team is 41-24 over their last 65 games.