Astros 5, Athletics 1: Fiers, Correa burn bright

There are many facets to baseball games. Pitchers can dominate games to help their team squeak out a win. Batters can crush home runs to blow out teams, and fielders save games by snagging web gems.

The Astros, more specifically Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, used one specific facet to put the Astros in front against the Athletics on Wednesday night in Oakland — base running.

Altuve and Correa took extra bases in the sixth inning that proved to be the winning runs in a 5-1 game.

Altuve led off the sixth inning with a single and was followed by a single from Correa. Altuve went first to third on the play. Correa snuck behind and took second base on the throw.

Evan Gattis had the deciding blow with a single to center, allowing both runners to score.

The Astros would have another run in the sixth inning with singles from Yuli Gurriel and Jake Marisnick.

Marinsick got his second RBI in the game in the eighth inning, Alex Bregman put two runners in scoring position with a double. Marisnick lifted a pitch to left field, allowing Gurriel to score.

Correa put the icing on the cake with a solo home run in the ninth inning.

Mike Fiers set the Astros up for the victory on the mound, he held the A’s to one run on three hits over six innings. He struck out five and walked three.

Tony Sipp and Luke Gregerson around a jam in the seventh, and Will Harris picked up his 14th hold. Ken Giles pitched a clean ninth inning and struck out two.