HOUSTON (July 27) \u2014 Another dominant pitching performance by the Athletics<\/a> led to a decisive 7\u20131 victory over the Houston Astros<\/a> Sunday afternoon. It completed a four-game sweep in Houston, something the Athletics had never done before in six prior tries. The victory brought the Athletics\u2019 record on their 10-game road trip even at 5\u20135.<\/p>\n \u201cTo complete a sweep here,\u201d manager Mark Kotsay<\/a><\/strong> said, \u201csays a lot about the group. It says a lot about the mindset. We talked about coming out of the break 1\u20135, and to leave the road trip .500 says a lot.<\/p>\n \u201cThese guys have really worked hard at continuing to try to turn the page and come each day prepared to win. To be able to come in here against a first-place team and sweep them says we\u2019re moving the needle in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n A pair of first-inning homers gave the Athletics a 2\u20130 lead, the first by Miguel Andujar<\/a><\/strong> and the second by Shea Langeliers<\/a><\/strong>. The next two runs came in the fourth, still off Astros starter Colton Gordon<\/a><\/strong>, on a sacrifice fly from Gio Urshela<\/a><\/strong> and a double by rookie Colby Thomas<\/a><\/strong>, the first RBI of his career.<\/p>\n In the ninth, the Athletics blew it open. Three runs came across on a two-run single by Max Schuemann<\/a><\/strong> and an RBI single by Luis Urias<\/a><\/strong>, making the score 7\u20130. The Astros managed to score a consolation run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth on a Mauricio Dubon<\/a><\/strong> double.<\/p>\n Athletics pitchers combined to strand six Astros runners in scoring position. Additionally, they held the Astros to 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. \u201cThey took care of the part of the lineup we needed to take care of,\u201d Kotsay said, \u201cand handled the top. That’s really what you have to do to win games.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI tried to do some of the same things that were working for me against Texas,\u201d Ginn said, \u201cand we executed really well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying baseball here (in Houston) is tough,\u201d Langeliers said. \u201cIt\u2019s a tough place to play. The crowd is always into it. It\u2019s always loud. I don\u2019t want the pitching to take a back seat to what we did offensively this series. All four starters \u2014 Sevy (Luis Severino<\/a><\/strong>), (Jeffrey) Springs, (Jacob) Lopez, and JT \u2014 phenomenal. And then the bullpen shutting everything down \u2014 it was a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n The Athletics went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. They were quite efficient with their baserunners, as they only left four runners on base.<\/p>\n The only thing that really went wrong for the Athletics in this game was losing the shutout with two outs in the ninth. But that didn\u2019t matter, since they won, 7\u20131.<\/p>\n Langeliers homered for the third straight game. On the Texas portion of this road trip \u2014 the three games in Arlington and the four in Houston \u2014 Langeliers slashed .385\/.433\/.731 (10-for-26) with three homers, six RBI, and five runs scored. What is it about Langeliers \u2014 who hails from Keller, a suburb of Fort Worth \u2014 hitting in Texas? \u201cI love being home,\u201d he grinned. \u201cLove being home. All my friends and family are here and get to come to the games. I get to spend time with them. So it’s a special time of the year for me, especially when we get a week-long road trip in Texas (like the current trip). It’s always a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, this was the first time the Athletics ever swept a four-game series in Houston. This was also the first time the Athletics swept the Astros in any <\/em>series in Houston since 2013 (a three-gamer). Additionally, this was the first time the Athletics swept a four-game series since whitewashing the Detroit Tigers<\/a> from April 15 to 18, 2021. That means this was also the first time the A\u2019s swept a four-gamer under Mark Kotsay\u2019s managerial reign.<\/p>\n Ginn (2\u20132) earned the win as Gordon (4\u20133) took the loss. There was no save.<\/p>\n The Athletics (46\u201362) head home for a three-game set with the AL West-rival Seattle Mariners<\/a> (56\u201350). First pitch Monday night is at 7:05 pm Pacific. Athletics left-hander JP Sears<\/a><\/strong> (7\u20138, 4.98 ERA) will face Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo<\/a><\/strong> (7\u20136, 3.30 ERA). The Astros will remain home for their next series, a three-gamer with the Washington Nationals<\/a>, their opponents in the 2019 World Series. First pitch Monday night is at 7:10 pm Central. Astros left-hander Framber Valdez<\/a><\/strong> (11\u20134, 2.67 ERA) will square off against Nationals rookie right-hander Brad Lord<\/a><\/strong> (2\u20135, 3.39 ERA).<\/p>\nAthletics \u2013 Astros Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Athletics<\/h3>\n
Pitching<\/h4>\n
Making the Most of Scoring Opportunities<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Athletics<\/h3>\n
Quick Hits<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n