HOUSTON (July 24) \u2014 Luis Severino<\/a><\/strong> allowed two runs across seven innings, taking a shutout into the seventh, as the Athletics<\/a> downed the first-place Houston Astros<\/a>, 5\u20132, in a game that was not as close as the score.<\/p>\n Severino only allowed four hits while striking out eight and walking none.<\/p>\n The Athletics pummeled Astros starter Jason Alexander<\/a><\/strong>, himself an Athletic from earlier in the season. They smashed 11 hits, four for extra bases, across six innings.<\/p>\n Lawrence Butler<\/a><\/strong> scored the game\u2019s first run, doing one in \u201cmanufactured\u201d style. In the top of the second, he walked, stole second and advanced to third on an overthrow, and scored on a sacrifice fly.<\/p>\n The Athletics extended that lead to 3\u20130 in the third after an RBI 6\u20134 force play by Max Schuemann<\/a><\/strong> and a double by Nick Kurtz<\/a><\/strong>. In the fourth, it became 4\u20130 when Shea Langeliers<\/a><\/strong> plated Brent Rooker<\/a><\/strong> on a sacrifice fly. And a Luis Urias<\/a><\/strong> homer to the Crawford Boxes in left made it 5\u20130 in the sixth.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Severino continued cruising into the seventh. He plunked the leadoff hitter, Jose Altuve<\/a><\/strong>, who advanced to third on a double to right by Victor Caratini<\/a><\/strong>. Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong> launched a sacrifice fly to right that scored Altuve and advanced Caratini to third, and a groundout to third by Cam Smith<\/a><\/strong> brought Caratini in to make it 5\u20132.<\/p>\n Severino gave the Athletics a Quality Start, setting the tone for the team. \u201cI found something I was missing \u2014 not using my fastball,\u201d he said through smiles. \u201cMy fastball is elite, and I feel like I ran from that pitch all year. So I\u2019ve been using it more, attacking hitters from the start, and it\u2019s been working.\u201d<\/p>\n Closer Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong> entered the game in the bottom of the eighth with runners on the corners, two outs, a 5\u20132 lead, and the still-dangerous Jose Altuve batting. He retired Altuve on a fly to center, ending the last threat the Astros had. (Miller pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 20th save.) Kotsay called his retiring of Altuve \u201cthe biggest out of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Butler, who has started slowly hitting-wise in the second half, manufactured the first run of the game in the second inning. He also made a sliding catch in center field for the first out of the third.<\/p>\n \u201cButler’s doing the little things,\u201d Kotsay said. Of the third inning sliding catch, Kotsay added, \u201cThat shows a lot of signs of progress there. Defense matters, and I think he’s learned that. He’s taken a lot of pride in it and is playing a pretty good center field since we’ve lost (Denzel) Clarke.\u201d<\/p>\n Athletics right fielder Carlos Cortes<\/a><\/strong>, who debuted Wednesday night in Arlington, Texas as a pinch-hitter against the Texas Rangers, made his first major league start Thursday. It was a date of firsts for Cortes, and it came with his family in the stands. He had his first RBI, a second-inning sacrifice fly; his first outfield assist, a hosing of Taylor Trammel for the last out of the third; first hit, a fourth-inning single; and scored his first run, also in the fourth. He is the first Athletics player to notch his first major league RBI, hit, and outfield assist in the same game since Ramon Laureano<\/a><\/strong> in 2018 (hat tip: Martin Gallegos of MLB.com).<\/p>\n \u201cUnbelievable,\u201d Severino said of his teammate. \u201cGreat night, great kid. I feel like he\u2019s gonna be huge for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Another special aspect of Thursday night\u2019s game for Cortes was that this all came in Houston against the Astros, the team of Jose Altuve. \u201cHe\u2019s a true inspiration to a guy like me, being a short stature guy. (Author\u2019s Note: Altuve is listed at 5\u20196\u201d, Cortes at 5\u20197\u201d.)<\/em> And he has done it for a long time in the big leagues and continues to do it. It (has given) me confidence, especially when I was getting drafted in high school.\u201d<\/p>\n It is difficult to pick anything that went wrong in this game, as they played well overall from start to finish. Even the inning where Severino hit the leadoff man and ultimately coughed up two runs ended with the Athletics still leading by three runs. Furthermore, Miller took care of the threat in the eighth when he retired Altuve with two on and two out.<\/p>\n Kurtz batted 3-for-5 with two doubles, giving him 38 extra-base hits (17 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs) in his now 65-game career. This gives him the Athletics\u2019 franchise record, dating back to 1901, for most extra-base hits in the first 65 games of a career. The previous holder? Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Severino (4\u201311, 4.95 ERA) earned the win, with Alexander (1\u20131, 8.14 ERA) taking the loss.<\/p>\n The Athletics (43\u201362) and Astros (60\u201343) will play the second game of their four-game series Friday night. Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs<\/a><\/strong> (8\u20137, 4.18 ERA) will start against rookie Astros right-hander Ryan Gusto<\/a><\/strong> (6\u20133, 4.46 ERA). First pitch will be at 7:10 pm Central\/5:10 pm Pacific.<\/p>\nAthletics \u2013 Astros Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Athletics<\/h3>\n
Starting Pitching<\/h4>\n
Miller Gets Team Out of Jam<\/h4>\n
Butler Finds Ways to Contribute<\/h4>\n
Night of Firsts<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Athletics<\/h3>\n
Quick Hits<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n