Yordan Alvarez did not give the Athletics much time to settle in Saturday afternoon.
After LaMonte Wade Jr. opened the second inning with his first home run as an Astro, Houston loaded the bases and Alvarez turned the game into a rout with one swing. His grand slam to right field sent Daikin Park into a frenzy, pushed the lead to 6-0, and started the Astros on their way to a 13-2 win over the A’s and a series victory.
The Astros are 30-36.
Houston had already struck first in the opening inning. Yordan Alvarez walked, Christian Walker doubled him to third, and Isaac Paredes brought him home with a sacrifice fly. But the second was the inning that decided everything. Wade homered. Taylor Trammell walked. Christian Vázquez singled. Jeremy Peña drew another free pass. Alvarez unloaded for his 22nd home run of the season and suddenly the Athletics were six runs down before recording the third out.
The Astros were not finished.
Jose Altuve, playing in just his second game back after missing time with a left oblique strain, opened the third with a solo homer. Two innings later, Houston sent ten batters to the plate and scored six more runs. Wade lined a two-run double into right. Jake Meyers added an RBI single. Vázquez doubled home another run. Peña capped the inning with a two-run double that made it 13-2 and eventually brought left fielder Carlos Cortes to the mound to pitch—left-handed, no less.
Lost amid the offense was another steady outing from Tatsuya Imai. After a brief third-inning wobble produced the Athletics’ only two runs, Imai settled back in and finished five innings with eight strikeouts, five hits allowed, and two earned runs. A.J. Blubaugh followed with two scoreless innings, and Alimber Santa struck out three over the final two frames. Santa has yet to allow a hit in the major leagues.
Nick Kurtz entered the series having tormented Houston since arriving in the majors last season, including a four-homer game at Daikin Park. The Astros kept him quiet again Saturday. Kurtz finished 1-for-3 with a walk after Imai held him largely in check.
Houston improves to 30-36 and secures the series while trimming another game off Seattle’s division lead after the Mariners lost Friday night. The Astros can finish the sweep Sunday at Daikin Park, with Mike Burrows scheduled to start against Gage Jump.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check the Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
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