House of Houston
Fansided

Houston Astros long ball their way past the Oakland A’s

By Brian K. Patterson

Jun 19, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick (6) celebrates with Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a RBI home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick (6) celebrates with Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a RBI home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Houston Astros have started their seven-game road trip with a hearty win over the Oakland A’s.

It may have not been the characteristic of Crush City but the Houston Astros did what they need to do to win.  In a game that relied completely on the long ball, no matter what, this team found a way to win.  I get it — there are going to be games where the team won’t able to get multiple hits but as long as the silver lining is there — winning the ballgame — that’s what’s paramount.

Brad Peacock, who pitched wonderfully off three-days rest last week against the Texas Rangers, showed off with an extra day of rest to boot.  He was tactical with his breaker ball, fanning eight, walking two, allowing one earned run with four hits.  That’s another solid performance, keeping his ERA at 2.82.

His counterpart, Daniel Gossett, struck out six but allowed two runs off a Jake Marisnick-beauty of a homer out to center field, bringing in himself and Evan Gattis to put the Houston Astros up 2-0.

After 5.2 innings — with a Jed Lowrie double and Khris Davis walk — A.J. Hinch called it a night for Peacock after 99 pitches.  Matt Joyce scored the team’s only run off that Lowrie double indicating that BP was getting tired.

Will Harris was brought in as relief as he proficiently tossed three strikeouts, one walk and no-hit ball through 1.1 innings.  At the top of the 8th, George Springer nailed his 20th dinger of the season out to right field, putting the Astros up 3-1 off John Axford.  After a pitching change from Axford to Josh Smith at the top of the 9th, Derek Fisher got a hold of a fastball — of his first pitch — to send a screamer to right-center field.

More from House of Houston

Whether it was a four-seam or two-seam, Springer and Fisher found a way to crush that ball where it needed to be — in the stands.  And that was the final nail in the coffin as the Astros then held on to win the game 4-1.

Harris and Chris Devenski are credited with the hold and Ken Giles closed out the game, getting the save.  That’s his 17th on the season.  Harris, Devo and Giles combined for five strikeouts, one walk in no-hit, shut-out ball through the remaining 3.1 innings of the game.  Did I mention that the long ball was the only way we scored tonight?  Yep, and your Astros have 113 home runs on the season, which is good for jockeying for position with the New Yankees for the top spot in the AL.

Next: The deadline for Derek Fisher's status is looming

This isn’t necessarily one of our most memorable wins — we’re blessed to have so many — but this is one to hang your hat on.

Go Astros.

Home/Houston Astros