Astros 4, Athletics 2: Mar-Win keeps playoff hopes alive

The Astros have a chance to make the playoffs. A very small chance. But the team has done what they can to make the most of that chance in the first four games of the final 16 game stretch.

The Astros used three runs over the final two innings to lift the Astros past the Athletics on Monday night for a 4-2 win.

Marwin Gonzalez delivered the key blow in the ninth inning with the bases loaded to drive home two runs.

Houston couldn't get anything going against A's rookie Jharel Cotton, who allowed one run over six innings on two hits and zero walks.

Evan Gattis was the source of the one run. He jumped on a fastball on the seventh pitch of his at-bat in the second inning, squeaking the ball just over the fence for a home run.

Brad Peacock kept the Astros in the game on Monday, allowing two earned run over 5 1/3 innings on three hits. Two of those hits were home runs from Ryon Healy and Bruce Maxwell in the second inning.

Kevin Champman and Pat Neshek combined to shut the door on an A's runner at third in the sixth.

Luke Gregerson stranded pinch runner Arismendy Alcantara at third with two outs in the eighth inning.

The pitching staff set the table for the offense in the ninth. The rally started like many for Houston with a Jose Altuve single. Carlos Correa followed with a single of his own to put runners on the corners. Evan Gattis was intentionally walked to load the bases. Gonzalez calmly singled up the middle to plate to runs. Ken Giles sat the A’s down in order to pick up the win.

Houston is now three games back in the Wild Card to both the Orioles and Blue Jays.