Houston Astros claim series over Oakland Athletics behind Verlander gem

The A’s fell to the Houston Astros, 4-2, on Wednesday afternoon in Houston.

With the loss, the A’s record against the Astros fell to 2-9 so far this season. There would be no comeback in this game after the A’s fell behind on a third-inning home run by George Springer.

Justin Verlander entered the game with a 0.84 WHIP, the best in baseball, and put a visual to the numbers. He held the A’s to two hits and one unearned run, all from a mini A’s rally in the first inning generated on a pair of errors by Alex Bregman and Josh Reddick.

Chris Bassitt started off strong, delivering a good sinker around the zone for five quick strikeouts in two innings. But the Astros caught up to him. Springer and Jose Altuve hit a pair of two-run home runs off his high fastball to give the Astros a lead.

NSFW

Turn volume down at your desk. #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/IJ1BSEuHIo

— Houston Astros (@astros) July 24, 2019

The A’s put up a run in the ninth inning when Ramon Laureano and Khris Davis hit back-to-back singles and Robbie Grossman plated Laureano on a fielder’s choice, but the rally fell short.

Next up for the Athletics is a home series against the Texas Rangers, who are six games behind the A’s for the AL’s second wild-card spot.