Athletics Play Playoff Spoiler with Win over Astros

Jacob Wilson and Michael Kelly, both of the Athletics, celebrate their team's win over the Astros

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

September 23, 2025

Athletics 5, Astros 1

The Athletics defeated the Houston Astros, 5–1, Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California. Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and Brett Harris all doubled, with Wilson and Soderstrom each driving in runs to pace the offense. Left-hander Jeffrey Springs worked five innings, allowing one run on three hits, before three relievers combined for four scoreless frames. This was the fourth straight loss for the Astros, in second place and fighting for their playoff lives. Combined with the come-from-behind 4–3 Seattle Mariners win over the lowly Colorado Rockies, it knocked the Astros four games behind the AL West-leading Mariners with five to play. Since the Mariners own the tiebreaker over the Astros, the playoff-bound Mariners now own a magic number of one to clinch the AL West. Additionally, it knocked the Astros one game behind the Detroit Tigers for the third and final AL Wild Card spot.

Athletics – Astros Game Summary

The Athletics opened the scoring in the first when Nick Kurtz doubled and later came home on a bizarre two-out fielding error by pitcher Cristian Javier. Brent Rooker had hit a high popup to the right of home plate, halfway between the mound and the line about 30 feet away from the plate. The infielders converged on it, but Javier called everyone off. However, Javier missed the catch. Kurtz, running the whole way since there were two outs, scored easily.

The Astros tied the game in the second on a Cam Smith sacrifice fly to left, but Darell Hernaiz’s RBI single in the fourth put the Athletics back in front.

In the fifth, the Athletics all but put the game away. Doubles by Harris and Soderstrom off Javier, followed by a Wilson single off new pitcher Jayden Murray, brought two runs home. That made the score 4–1.

The Athletics brought the score to its final state of 5–1 in the eighth. A one-out Carlos Cortes sacrifice fly to center scored Wilson from third.

What Went Right for the Athletics

Pitching

Springs (11–11) held the Astros to one run across five innings, striking out three and walking two. The only inning to see Springs allow a hit, outside of the second, was the third. A Christian Walker comebacker knocked Springs’ glove off and died behind the mound, giving Walker an infield hit.

Tyler Ferguson, Justin Sterner, and Michael Kelly combined to toss four hitless, scoreless innings. They only allowed two baserunners, but neither made it to second base.

Timely Hitting

Wilson reached base four times and drove in a run. Soderstrom smacked a two-out RBI double in the fifth to give the Athletics breathing room. Hernaiz and Cortes also chipped in with an RBI each, making four Athletics to drive in at least a run. As a team, the Athletics drove in three of their five runs with two outs.

Defense

The infield turned a key double play with no one out in the eighth. Harris turned a Jose Altuve grounder into a 5–4–3 twin killing that erased Victor Caratini, whom Sterner plunked to lead off the inning. It became even more important when Carlos Correa followed Altuve with a walk and Isaac Paredes ended the frame with a harmless fly to center.

What Went Wrong for the Athletics

Missed Chances Early

Hard to complain in a complete victory such as this one. However, the Athletics left seven runners on base and went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Three of the seven runners left on base were in scoring position, though it did not change the final outcome.

Looking Ahead

Springs (11–11, 4.11 ERA) earned the win for the Athletics with Javier (2–4, 4.62 ERA) taking the loss for the Astros. There was no save.

The Athletics (74–83) will continue their homestand Wednesday night against the Astros (84–73) in the second game of the series. Left-hander Luis Severino (7–11, 4.72 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Athletics against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (12–8, 2.30 ERA). First pitch at Sutter Health Park will be at 7:05 p.m. Pacific.