8th Inning Heroics Propel Astros to 4-3 Win and Series Sweep Over A's

The game didn't start well for the Astros as the A's jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the 2^nd inning, partly due to an error by Carlos Correa.

Mike Fiers was able to limit the damage to just 3 runs, but had to work around 8 hits and 2 walks as he only lasted 5 innings.

Meanwhile, Ross Detwiler, who struggled in his previous 4 outings, was shutting down the Astros lineup. They put some good swings on balls and Correa was able to partially atone for his error with an RBI double in the 4^th to make it 3-1, but the Astros looked helpless against Detwiler for the majority of the game.

Chris Devenski came in to relieve Mike Fiers and he did Chris Devenski things, throwing 2 scoreless innings without allowing a baserunner. Dark horse ROY candidate, anyone?

Detwiler finished his day after 7 IP, with 7 strikeouts and only 3 hits and 2 walks. The Astros were glad to see a new pitcher when Liam Hendriks entered the game for Oakland in the bottom of the 8^th. The results didn't change though, as Teoscar Hernandez flew out to center field and Tony Kemp struck out swinging.

With 2 outs, George Springer decided to start a rally with a deep fly ball that fell in for a triple. Unfortunately, Alex Bregman struck out swinging to end the inning. Wait. What's that? The catcher couldn't block the pitch! Run Alex! Run! Bregman beat out the throw to first and Springer came home to put the Astros within a run, 3-2.

Jose Altuve came up to bat trying to break out of a mini-slump (shall we call it an Altuve-sized slump?). He drove a ball to right field that a good outfielder probably would have caught, but it went over the head of Danny Valencia as Bregman came around to score and Altuve pulled into third base having tied the game at 3.

Bob Melvin is all too familiar with Correa's late-inning heroics and wasn't willing to give him another opportunity. After the intentional walk to Correa, Evan Gattis liked the first pitch he saw and lined it into left field to give the Astros a 4-3 lead.

Ken Giles sent down the A's in order in the top of the 9^th and in no time at all, the Astros had gone from a 2-run deficit to a series sweep and a 5-1 record on the home stand.

Wanna hear something crazy?

This is the 2^nd time this season that the Astros have had a comeback win that was partly due to a wild pitch on a strikeout... against Oakland. The first time was on July 8^th when Correa struck out but made it to first before Valbuena hit a walk-off 3-run bomb against Ryan Madson.

Looking Forward

With a 5-1 record on the home stand, the Astros season record now sits at 71-62. Boston and Detroit already won their games today, so the Astros kept pace with them and remain 3 games behind the first AL Wild Card spot. If Baltimore loses to Toronto tonight, the Astros will be only 1 game behind the second wild card spot.

Rest up tomorrow, boys. A 13-game stretch full of opportunity awaits you.

Go ‘Stros!!