OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Tony Kemp homered and hit a two-run double, Skye Bolt added a two-run shot, and the Oakland Athletics held off the red-hot Houston Astros 7-5 on Monday night.
Elvis Andrus added an insurance RBI single in the eighth for Oakland before closer Lou Trivino surrendered a solo homer to Chas McCormick, then finished for his ninth save by striking out Jeremy Peña with runners on first and second.
AL West-leading Houston took its first defeat after a 5-0 start since the All-Star break. The Astros are an AL-best 28-10 dating to June 12 and are now 32-17 against the AL West.
Peña homered in the first for Houston before Kemp’s tying drive leading off the third against right-hander Jake Odorizzi (4-3), who had been 4-0 over his previous seven starts.
Yordan Alvarez came home on a double-steal in the sixth and Peña doubled and scored on pitcher Domingo Acevedo’s throwing error on a pickoff attempt as Houston pulled within 6-4.
A’s right-hander Adam Oller (1-3) struck out four over five innings, allowing four runs — three earned — on four hits.
Oakland’s Chad Pinder made his third career start at first base and first since 2019.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: LF Michael Brantley, sidelined since June 27 with right shoulder discomfort, continues baseball activity but it’s unclear when he will begin swinging again. “Michael’s a pro,” manager Dusty Baker said. “Michael would be out there if he could, but he’s being smart about this. I don’t know what the timetable is. … I’ve never seen a guy work harder.” … All-Star DH Alvarez returned to the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s series finale with a sore right hand. Baker hopes to get him in the outfield again soon.
Athletics: RHP Dany Jiménez, who went on the 15-day injured list June 21 with a strained pitching…