SACRAMENTO, CA – June 18, 2025 – The Houston Astros’ bats stayed red hot last night at Sutter Health Park, as they pounded out 20 hits en route to an 11-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics. This dominant offensive performance secured at least a series split for the Astros, giving them a 2-1 lead in their four-game set with one game remaining.
Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (8-4) earned the win, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five. For the Athletics, Luis Severino (2-7) took the loss, surrendering two runs on nine hits in five innings.
The Athletics got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Austin Wynns hit an RBI single, giving Oakland a 1-0 lead.
However, the Astros quickly responded in the top of the third. Mauricio Dubón led off with a solo home run to left-center field, his third of the season, tying the game at 1-1. The Astros then took the lead in the top of the fourth when Jeremy Peña hit an RBI single, scoring Victor Caratini and making it 2-1.
The game broke open in the top of the sixth inning as the Astros exploded for seven runs. The rally was highlighted by a three-run home run from Jose Altuve, his 12th of the season. Following that, Cam Smith hit an RBI double, and Victor Caratini blasted a three-run home run, his fourth of the season. By the end of the inning, the Astros had built a commanding 9-1 lead.
The Athletics managed to get a run back in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single from Nick Kurtz.
Houston added two more runs in the top of the ninth with an RBI double from Jake Meyers and an RBI groundout from Jeremy Peña, extending their lead to 11-2. The Athletics scored two consolation runs in the bottom of the ninth, including a solo home run from Nick Kurtz, but it was far too late.
The Astros’ offense was a machine, with six players recording multi-hit games: Jose Altuve (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Jake Meyers (3-for-5, 2B, RBI), Victor Caratini (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Cam Smith (3-for-4, 2B, RBI), Jeremy Peña (3-for-6, 2 RBI), and Mauricio Dubón (2-for-5, HR, RBI). The team’s 20 hits were a season-high.
The dominant offensive display improved the Astros’ record to 43-31 and set them up to potentially win the series in the final game against the Athletics.
