Athletics Avoid Sweep with 5-0 Win Over Astros

· Yahoo Sports

Jun 7, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (25) steps on home plate to score a run after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Athletics took on the Houston Astros this morning, seeking to avoid being swept by their division rivals. The A’s salvaged the series finale with a 5-0 victory, ending the road trip on a high note. Jump lived up to his top-100 prospect pedigree, as his second straight quality start resulted in his second MLB win. Meanwhile, his teammates provided more than enough run support.

Both Teams Waste Early Scoring Chances

The A’s went down quietly to start the game against Astros’ starting pitcher Mike Burrows. In the bottom of the first, the Astros got two runners on base. However, Athletics’ starting pitcher Gage Jump escaped the jam by getting Houston’s third baseman Isaac Paredes to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Visit likesport.biz for more information.

A’s left fielder Tyler Soderstrom led off the second by drawing a walk, extending his on-base streak to 17 consecutive games. With one out, center fielder Lawrence Butler got a much-needed base hit up the middle. Nevertheless, Burrows retired the next two A’s hitters to escape the two-on, one-out jam without allowing any damage.

A’s Put Up A Three-Spot

The Athletics took the lead in the top of the third. Shortstop Alika Williams singled and then first baseman Nick Kurtz crushed his 12th home run of the season, a two-run blast to right-center that left the bat at 114 mph.

The A’s were not done that inning. With one out, catcher Shea Langeliers blooped a single to right field, then stole second—his first stolen base of the season—before scoring on designated hitter Brent Rooker’s two-out RBI double down the left-field line.

Jump completed a third straight scoreless inning, inducing his second double-play grounder as Houston wasted a chance to immediately respond.

A’s Add Another Run

A’s third baseman Zack Gelof opened the fourth with a double to left, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. With two outs, Gelof scored on Astros’ shortstop Jeremy Pena’s fielding error, a play that should been made for the third out of the inning.

Kurtz, who hit the grounder that was misplayed, proceeded to steal his seventh base of the campaign. A couple batters later, Burrows got Langeliers to pop out, ending the inning.

Rooker and Butler Standing Out

Rooker stayed hot, following up his RBI double by crushing his 10th home run of the season, a solo blast to the left-field seats with one out in the fifth inning. After Rooker’s home run, Butler collected his second single of the game, a positive sign for the struggling but talented outfielder.

Jump Dominant Again

The Astros went to their bullpen in the sixth inning, bringing in left-hander Steven Okert to replace Burrows, who allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits over five innings. Okert pitched Houston’s first scoreless inning since the second.

Jump pitched into the seventh inning, exiting after allowing a single and a walk. He threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. While Jump recorded only three strikeouts, he did a good job of keeping Astros hitters off balance, inducing seven groundouts and four fly outs.

A’s Bullpen Seals the Victory

Right-handed reliever Justin Sterner replaced Jump, inheriting the two Astros baserunners. Sterner wiggled out of that jam unscathed, helped by Butler’s nice running catch on Astros’ pinch-hitter Lamonte Wade Jr’s line drive that seemed ticketed for the right field corner.

Fellow right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. tossed a scoreless eighth inning, keeping the A’s shutout hopes alive while extending his scoreless innings streak to 11 2/3 innings. Left-hander Hogan Harris completed the shutout, recording the final three outs in the bottom of the ninth to seal the A’s 5-0 victory.

This win was exactly what the doctor ordered, snapping the A’s losing streak and enabling the team to finish its road trip at .500 rather than with a losing record.

Las Vegas Series Preview

Now, the team heads to “Sin City” for six home games at its Triple-A affiliate’s ballpark. Tomorrow evening, the Athletics will begin a three-game series against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers at the launching pad known as Las Vegas Ballpark.

Left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who has struggled recently, will make his 14th start of the season for the A’s. Springs is still searching for his first win since April, a drought he hopes to end in one of the most homer-friendly ballparks in the minor leagues. The Brewers will counter with left-hander Kyle Harrison, the latest pitcher to benefit from Milwaukee ‘s pitching development magic. The Bay Area native is 7-1 with a 1.57 ERA through his first 11 starts with the Brewers.

Read full story at source