Crisp double carries Oakland
Fiers gives up four runs on five hits in five-plus innings.
OAKLAND, CALIF. — Pinch-hitter Coco Crisp hit a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning after Oakland chased Mike Fiers, and the Athletics beat the division-leading Houston Astros 10-9 on Monday to snap a fivegame skid.
Fiers (2-1) allowed consecutive walks to start the inning before giving way to Josh Fields, who gave up Billy Butler’s single to load the bases for Crisp.
Fiers pitched on eight days’ rest in his second start since tossing a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 21 while throwing 134 pitches.
Pinch-hitter Jonathan Villar hit a home run halfway up the second deck of the stands in left leading off the seventh for the Astros then Carlos Correa added a three-run drive, but the AL West leaders missed a chance to move a season-high-tying 14 games over .500.
Josh Phegley hit a tworun drive in the seventh for the A’s after Houston had pulled within 8-6 in the top half. Houston’s Jake Marisnick added a two-run shot in the eighth as 15 of the game’s 19 runs came from the bottom of the sixth and after.
Lefty Felix Doubront (3-1) worked six-plus innings to win consecutive starts. Sean Doolittle, the fourth reliever, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save in an injury-shortened year.
Joe Thatcher, Houston’s third pitcher in the sixth, entered with the bases loaded to face Danny Valencia, who drew a leadoff walk to begin the big inning and got Valencia to ground into a force out before Brett Lawrie struck out swinging.
Marisnick hit a sacrifice fly in the second, then Oakland tied it on Lawrie’s triple in the fourth.
Trainer’s room
Astros: Lowrie, a former A’s infielder, rested most of the day then was booed as a pinch-hitter in the eighth when he singled. In his last seven games, he is batting .478 (11 for 23) with three home runs, four doubles and seven RBIs. “To get him to the finish line feeling good, and he’s looked as good as anybody on our team, today was a day that we chose to get him off at least a start,” manager A.J. Hinch said.
Athletics: Catcher Stephen Vogt was resting at home after being hit by a foul tip in the groin Sunday. He said by text message, “I’m feeling a little better today.” He had swelling and was scheduled to have a second ultrasound after a first test showed nothing ruptured, Melvin said. ... Outfielder Sam Fuld, who last played on Aug. 30 but hasn’t batted since Aug. 25 as he deals with back spasms, isn’t likely to start until this weekend’s three-game set at Texas.