Offense makes it easy for Verlander

OAKLAND, Calif. — Justin Verlander made two mistakes Thursday, both resulting in home runs.

But with the way the Astros are swinging the bats these days, it hardly mattered.

Verlander struck out seven and pitched five-hit ball over seven innings, and the Astros jumped out to another early lead en route to beating the Athletics 7-3 for their eighth straight win.

Brian McCann homered for the first time in nearly a month and Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Josh Reddick were among five players with two hits apiece as the Astros completed a threegame sweep.

“It happens fast when we’re at our best,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “We can get after you and then we stay after you. We’re not going to be perfect all the time, but when we are good like this and putting up runs we’re pretty tough.”

Evan Gattis, who set a franchise record with five RBIs in each of the first two games of the series, went 1-for-5 and didn’t drive in a run. Beyond that, however, it was another impressive offensive display from the Astros.

“That’s a good team that’s swinging the bat real well right now,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “(It) looked like every ball in the middle of the plate they hit.”

The winning streak is the Astros’ longest since they won 11 straight from May 25 to June 5 last season on the way to their first World Series championship.

“It’s nice to have your team hot,” Verlander said. “The run support is awesome. It’s fun to be a part of keeping the momentum on our side.”

Khris Davis and Matt Olson homered for the A’s off Verlander, who entered the game with a majors-leading 1.45 ERA.