Astros 11, Athletics 8: Springer, Houston bash their way to 17 hits

The pair of starting pitchers for Wednesday's matchup between the Astros and Athletics combined to pitch six innings. Not a good sign if you were hoping for a pitcher’s duel. But if you were looking for a Pacific Coast League in the major you can to the right place.

The Astors used 17 hits to outslug the A’s, 11-8.

George Springer was the driving force for the Astros, collecting three extra-base hits before the start of the fourth inning.

George Springer set a new franchise record with his ninth lead-off home run in the bottom of the 1st. The Astros clearly were content with taking A’s starter Jesse Hahn for a home run and a double. Brian McCann singled in a run with a hit through the shift.

Khris Davis hit his first of two home runs off David Paulino in the second inning. But the Astros answered back with two more runs in the second. Springer put two runners in scoring position with a double and Josh Reddick drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Josh Altuve plated the fourth run with an infield single.

The Athletics touched up Paulino with four runs including the second home run from Davis — this time a three-run home run.

The A’s short-lived 5-4 lead was erased by the Astros in the third inning with five runs behind doubles from Marwin Gonzalez and Springer.

McCann got another RBI sac fly in the sixth inning behind excellent base running by Josh Reddick. Reddick stole third base on a toss back to the pitcher.

Reddick was on the other end with a RBI single in the seventh, scoring Yuli Gurriel — who reached on a double.

The Astros got five strong innings from the bullpen. Michael Feliz, Tony Sipp, Luke Gregerson and Ken Giles pitched clean innings.

The only run given up was by Will Harris, who gave up a solo home run to Jed Lowrie.