Astros rally in eighth to defeat A’s 6-3 in Houston

On Thursday, the Houston Astros secured a 6-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics, showcasing a strong performance in the eighth inning. Jason Heyward contributed significantly with a two-run homer early in the game, marking his first home run as an Astro. Jon Singleton's three hits included a crucial tiebreaking RBI single during a four-run eighth inning that shifted the momentum in favor of Houston. The Astros' rally came after Brent Rooker tied the game with a homer off Ryan Pressly in the eighth. The Astros' offense came alive in the eighth, with Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hitting consecutive singles, leading to Singleton's pivotal hit that scored Diaz. Following Singleton's single, Jake Meyers added a run-scoring double, and the Athletics opted to intentionally walk Heyward to load the bases. This strategic decision highlighted the pressure the Astros were applying late in the game. Oakland's starting pitcher, Mitch Spence, delivered an impressive performance, allowing only two runs over seven innings, which earned praise from his manager. Despite Spence's strong outing, the Athletics struggled to maintain their lead as the Astros capitalized on their opportunities in the later innings. In the ninth, Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer for Oakland, but it was not enough to change the outcome. The Astros' victory not only prevented a sweep by the Athletics but also demonstrated their resilience and ability to score crucial runs in high-pressure situations, setting the stage for their upcoming series against the Los Angeles Angels.