Five homers not quite enough
Davis goes yard twice, but the A’s four-game win streak comes to an end
HOUSTON >> Khris Davis’ two home runs, and one each by Ryon Healy, Matt Olson and Jed Lowrie, were not enough to offset Jesse Hahn’s continuing struggles against the Houston Astros. For the second straight start, both against the Astros, Hahn did not make it past the third inning.
Oakland’s season-high five home runs couldn’t keep pace with the first-place Astros, falling 11-8 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park, and having its four-game win streak snapped. Davis’ second homer, a three-run blast and No. 21 on the season, gave the A’s a brief 5-4 lead in the third. It was Davis’ 14th career multi-homer game, third this season.
“The first one, the windows closed, if it’s open I don’t know where it ends up,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “You’ve seen his average raise recently, he’s up over .250 (.256). When he’s swinging the bat well, he’s one swing away from putting a couple of runs up.”
Houston’s George Springer, who set a single-season franchise record by hitting his ninth home run to lead off a game, had three extrabase hits after three innings. The A’s allowed 17 hits — 13 over the first three innings.
Hahn (3-6), who lasted only two innings against Houston in his previous start last Thursday, was replaced in the third after allowing two singles to begin the inning. He gave up six runs and nine hits.
“It’s unacceptable,” Hahn said. “Whatever it is, I have to find something to get me back on track.”
Yonder Alonso fouled a ball off his right knee leading off the eighth and couldn’t finish his at-bat, limping back to the dugout with assistance from Melvin and a trainer. Alonso has a right knee contusion.
“I should be fine, I don’t think it’s anything major,” said Alonso, who said he wasn’t sure if he’ll be in the lineup Thursday. “We’ll see how I wake up tomorrow and get some treatment on it. This one got me in (the wrong) spot. I’m walking OK.”
Added Melvin: “It got him pretty good. My guess is he’s going to be pretty sore tomorrow.”
Rajai Davis pinch-hit for Alonso. Luke Gregerson struck out Davis swinging on one pitch, but because there were two strikes on Alonso on a 2-2 count, the first baseman was credited with the strikeout and atbat.
Davis remained in the game at left field, Matt Joyce moved from left to right field and Olson switched from right to first base for the last of the eighth.
• Thursday’s scheduled starter, right-hander Jharel Cotton, who is dealing with a blister on his right thumb, has been pushed back in the A’s rotation. Right-hander Daniel Gossett (1-2, 4.50 ERA) will start Thursday in the series finale against the Astros.
Right-hander Sonny Gray will start Friday when the A’s open a threegame home series with Atlanta. Over the weekend, right-handers Kendall Graveman and Ryan Dull will throw bullpen sessions.
“Cotton will not pitch tomorrow,” Melvin said. “We’re hoping it’s going to be Saturday, but we’ll probably have a better time table on that tomorrow.” In two stints with Oakland this year, Cotton is 5-7 with a 5.02 ERA.
• Unlike former first baseman Steve Balboni, Healy said he’ll remember his first career grand slam for a long time. Healy’s sixth-inning homer gave the A’s a 5-1 lead in Tuesday’s 6-4 win over the Astros.
“It was a very special moment, it was more special just because of the way it played out in the game in helping the team win,” Healy said. “It’s definitely a moment I’ll treasure for a lot of years.”
Balboni, who played from 1981-93, hit a grand slam one night. After the game Balboni said, “Your first grand slam is a big thing. It’s something that I’ll never forget.”
“But Steve, a reporter said. “You hit a grand slam last year.” Balboni responded, “Oh yeah. I forgot.”