+34
The Athletics defeated the Houston Astros 6-5, ensuring the AL West champion will be the first MLB playoff team without a winning record in a full season.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Henry Bolte and Michael Stefanic each drove in two runs in the sixth inning, and Jacob Lopez struck out four as the Athletics defeated the Houston Astros 6-5 on Friday, guaranteeing that the AL West champion will be baseball's first postseason team without a winning record in a full season.
The Astros remain atop the AL West after Texas lost 10-2 to the Twins. Both teams are 79-81, and the division winner will be the first in history to finish at .500 or worse.
Lopez (7-5) pitched six innings, allowing two hits and one run. His only run came on a solo home run by Christian Walker that gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Sixth-Inning Rally Propels Athletics
The lead held until the bottom of the sixth, when an error by Jose Altuve ignited the Athletics' offense.
Hunter Brown (6-4) was removed for Bennett Sousa after a sacrifice bunt advanced runners to second and third with one out, but the bullpen struggled.
Sousa's third pitch was hit to center field by pinch-hitter Stefanic for a two-run single that put the Athletics ahead 2-1.
The Athletics added another hit, and Jonah Heim followed with a first-pitch RBI.
AJ Blubaugh replaced Sousa and gave up a bases-clearing two-run triple to Henry Bolte that extended the lead to 5-1.
The inning ended with a fielder's choice that allowed Bolte to slide home safely, increasing the advantage.
Bolte finished 2 for 5, and Stefanic went 1 for 1, both with two RBIs.
Astros' Late Comeback Falls Short
Cam Smith's solo home run in the seventh cut the deficit to four, and Houston scored three more in the eighth.
Luis Medina struck out Smith to end the inning with the Athletics still ahead, and Hogan Harris earned his 17th save with a hitless ninth.
Houston can clinch a postseason berth with a win against the Athletics and a Texas loss to the Twins on Saturday.
Playoff Implications and Upcoming Matchup
The Athletics' victory ensures that the AL West winner will have a record of .500 or worse, a first in MLB history for a full season.
Both Houston and Texas are 79-81, and the division title will be decided in the final games.
The Astros still lead the division despite the loss, but their postseason spot is not yet secure.
Up next, the Athletics will start right-hander Jack Perkins (3-12) for Saturday's matchup against the Astros. Houston has not announced a starter.
Athletics Houston Astros AL West Jacob Lopez Henry Bolte Michael Stefanic MLB Playoffs
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pirates beat Cardinals to secure their first non-losing season since 2018Ronny Simon raced home on Spencer Horwitz’s eighth inning sacrifice fly and the Pittsburgh Pirates assured themselves of the club’s first non-losing season in eight years with a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.
Read more »
Spence hits first three homers of career, helps Astros survive Athletics to keep playoff hopes aliveLucas Spence hit the first three home runs of his major league career, Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes also homered, and the Houston Astros outlasted the Athletics 7-5 on Thursday night.
Read more »
Astros rookie Lucas Spence hits his first 3 career homers in the same gameSpence is the third player in MLB history to do that.
Read more »
Red Sox beat Cubs in doubleheader opener, assure Wild Card Series matchup against YankeesConnor Wong hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning, and the Boston Red Sox rallied from a three-run deficit to beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 in a doubleheader opener on Friday that clinched the No. 5 seed in the American League playoffs.
Read more »