JP Sears pitched six strong innings, only allowing one unearned run and two hits. Brent Rooker’s two-run double in the first inning helped the Oakland Athletics secure a 3-1 win against the Houston Astros on Saturday.
This win marked the Athletics’ first victory over the Astros this season, ending a streak of five losses. If they win on Sunday, Oakland could clinch their second consecutive series win. Before this, the Athletics had lost four straight series before winning two of three against Colorado earlier in the week.
Sears (4-3) rebounded from a loss in his last start against Kansas City. He pitched efficiently with just 68 pitches, striking out one batter and walking one. Mason Miller closed the game with three shutout innings, securing his 10th save of the season for Oakland.
Sears managed to retire the first batter of each inning after the first one, and his slider and sinker were particularly effective.
“It was just a good, efficient day,” Sears commented.
Last season, Sears was the only pitcher to remain in the rotation for the entire season. Currently, he’s the only regular starter healthy for the team. While Sears felt he could have pitched longer, he respected manager Mark Kotsay’s decision not to push him.
“A big part of the season is just trying to be available as much as I can,” Sears said. Kotsay expressed confidence in Sears’s durability and stated that the team will continue to rely on him.
“Through April, we had all five guys in the rotation and in May, we’ve lost four of five,” Kotsay noted. “So for JP, testament to his resiliency. He’s coming off a year where he made all 32 (starts), and I know that he’s determined to do that again. That’s his mindset.”
Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti (2-5) settled down after allowing the first three batters to reach. However, Rooker’s double down the left-field line brought in Abraham Toro and JJ Bleday, providing enough offense for the Athletics.
Arrighetti gave up three runs and five hits in five innings, striking out seven and walking three.
Houston’s shortstop Jeremy Peña admitted that they struggled to generate much offense against the Athletics’ pitching.
