Cotton ends victory drought in A's 3-2 win over Astros
The Sports Xchange
Aug 20, 2017
HOUSTON -- Jharel Cotton snapped a five-start winless streak by pitching effectively into the seventh inning and the Oakland Athletics salvaged the finale of their weekend series against the Houston Astros with a 3-2 victory on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
Cotton (6-10) allowed two runs and four hits while walking three and striking out two in 6 2/3 innings.
After surrendering a run on a sacrifice fly by Astros shortstop Alex Bregman in the third inning, Cotton retired eight consecutive batters before sidestepping trouble in the bottom of the sixth.
Three batters after Marwin Gonzalez clubbed his 21st home run to lead off the seventh for the Astros, Cotton gave way to right-hander Chris Hatcher, who struck out George Springer with the tying run on third base to close the inning.
Oakland reliever Blake Treinen had two strikeouts in the eighth to strand Jose Altuve on second base and preserve the lead. Treinen finished the ninth for his fourth save of the season.
The Athletics (54-70) scored twice against Astros right-hander Brad Peacock (10-2) in the first inning courtesy of two throwing errors on the same play.
After Boog Powell reached on a leadoff single, Marcus Semien bounced an infield hit to Bregman, who fielded the ball but his throw to Altuve at second sailed into right field and allowed Powell to score.
Later, with Semien closing in on third base, Gonzalez bounced his throw past J.D. Davis and into left field, enabling Semien to get to his feet and scurry home.
Oakland took a 3-1 lead in the sixth when Jed Lowrie reached on a single and later scored on a passed ball by catcher Juan Centeno. After shining defensively in the opening two games of the series, the Astros (76-48) were sloppy throughout the finale.
NOTES: Astros SS Carlos Correa will participate in batting practice on Tuesday, doing so for the first time since landing on the 10-day disabled list with a torn ligament in his right thumb on July 18. Correa took swings against a pitching machine. ... Athletics C Bruce Maxwell was scratched from the lineup after taking a foul ball off his mask on Saturday night. While Maxwell did not show signs of a concussion, Oakland manager Bob Melvin opted for a conservative approach with Maxwell. ... Astros RHPs Will Harris (right shoulder inflammation) and Michael Feliz (right shoulder discomfort), as well as LHP Tony Sipp (right calf soreness), are scheduled to make rehab appearances for Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday. Astros C Evan Gattis (concussion) will do the same.
Aug 20, 2017
HOUSTON -- Jharel Cotton snapped a five-start winless streak by pitching effectively into the seventh inning and the Oakland Athletics salvaged the finale of their weekend series against the Houston Astros with a 3-2 victory on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
Cotton (6-10) allowed two runs and four hits while walking three and striking out two in 6 2/3 innings.
After surrendering a run on a sacrifice fly by Astros shortstop Alex Bregman in the third inning, Cotton retired eight consecutive batters before sidestepping trouble in the bottom of the sixth.
Three batters after Marwin Gonzalez clubbed his 21st home run to lead off the seventh for the Astros, Cotton gave way to right-hander Chris Hatcher, who struck out George Springer with the tying run on third base to close the inning.
Oakland reliever Blake Treinen had two strikeouts in the eighth to strand Jose Altuve on second base and preserve the lead. Treinen finished the ninth for his fourth save of the season.
The Athletics (54-70) scored twice against Astros right-hander Brad Peacock (10-2) in the first inning courtesy of two throwing errors on the same play.
After Boog Powell reached on a leadoff single, Marcus Semien bounced an infield hit to Bregman, who fielded the ball but his throw to Altuve at second sailed into right field and allowed Powell to score.
Later, with Semien closing in on third base, Gonzalez bounced his throw past J.D. Davis and into left field, enabling Semien to get to his feet and scurry home.
Oakland took a 3-1 lead in the sixth when Jed Lowrie reached on a single and later scored on a passed ball by catcher Juan Centeno. After shining defensively in the opening two games of the series, the Astros (76-48) were sloppy throughout the finale.
NOTES: Astros SS Carlos Correa will participate in batting practice on Tuesday, doing so for the first time since landing on the 10-day disabled list with a torn ligament in his right thumb on July 18. Correa took swings against a pitching machine. ... Athletics C Bruce Maxwell was scratched from the lineup after taking a foul ball off his mask on Saturday night. While Maxwell did not show signs of a concussion, Oakland manager Bob Melvin opted for a conservative approach with Maxwell. ... Astros RHPs Will Harris (right shoulder inflammation) and Michael Feliz (right shoulder discomfort), as well as LHP Tony Sipp (right calf soreness), are scheduled to make rehab appearances for Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday. Astros C Evan Gattis (concussion) will do the same.
