PLAYOFF RUN ENDS

After another early lead, A’s bullpen crumbles at hands of AL West rivals

The Oakland A’s season was on life support. And, down late again to the Houston Astros, the A’s didn’t have the late-inning spark to stay alive.

Oakland’s season ended Thursday in Los Angeles with an 11- 6 loss their bitter division rivals, falling 3-1 in the series.

With that, the A’s have lost each of their last three trips to the American League Division Series, failing to advance to their first AL Championship Series since 2006. Their threegame elimination game win streak snapped as the AL West champions exited this strange season in disappointing defeat.

Carlos Correa challenged Astros opposers angry that the

team popped for stealing signs could make another run for a title. Correa talked the talk, and he and Houston’s talented lineup could walk the walk.

The Home Run Derby continued, yet again. Ramón Laureano hit a three-run home run off Zack Greinke and a solo home run off a slider again to lead off the fifth. The A’s one-time troop rally- er could only seem to rally himself Thursday — those were all the runs the A’s could create.

Though the A’s 12 home runs in the series set a franchise Division Series record, a few more

couldn’t have hurt. Matt Olson nearly cleared the fence in the fourth, Josh Reddick robbed him. Down five runs in the seventh, two on, Marcus Semien hit what looked like a sure-fire home run that just died at the wall and into Kyle Tucker’s glove.

The A’s postseason hopes died with that ball.

In truth, the A’s offense were always looking at an uphill climb. An undeniable strength in the regular season with a leagueleading 2.72 ERA, the A’s bullpen looked listless and vulnerable against Houston’s potent bats.

They’d shoulder most of the work with none of the A’s starters — between Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea, Jesús Luzardo and, Thursday, Frankie Montas — able to get past the fifth inning. Montas found himself on the bad end of one of Houston’s big innings, surrendering five runs and the lead in the fourth inning. In all, the A’s starters accumulated a 8.82 ERA in four games.

But the bullpen couldn’t keep games in reach like they had all year. The comeback magic the A’s prided themselves on was dependent on a lockdown army of relievers.

PHOTOS BY MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The A’s Matt Olson, left, walks to the dugout after striking out against the Astros during the eighth inning of Game 4 of their American League Division Series in Los Angeles on Thursday. At right is Astros catcher Martin Maldonado.

Astros left fielder Kyle Tucker catches a fly ball hit by the A’s Marcus Semien during the seventh inning of Game 4 of their American League Division Series in Los Angeles on Thursday.

KEVORK DJANSEZIAN — GETTY IMAGES The A’s Matt Olson drops his helmet and gloves after striking out against Cristian Javier of the Astros during the sixth inning of Game 4 of their American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Thursday in Los Angeles.