The Oakland A’s weren’t about to leave Los Angeles being swept by their division foe in the Houston Astros. In another battle of the long ball, it was the A’s who stood tall thanks to an eighth inning rally.
How It Happened
Oakland got out in front with a one-out home run to left center field by Tommy La Stella. However, the Astros responded with a two-run bottom frame with Jose Altuve lifting one out to left center field, followed by Michael Brantley scoring off of a ground out.
Mark Canha tied things back up in the top of the second with his first home run of the postseason. That was followed up by a solo shot from Matt Olson in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. Marcus Semien joined in on the fun in the fifth to make it a two-run ballgame.
Houston responded in a big way with a five-run bottom of the fifth that was jumpstarted by a solo shot from Aledmys Diaz. However, Chad Pinder tied things up with just one swing of the bat, scoring three runs with a home run to right field.
The A’s completed the rally in the eighth with a pair of sac flies from Sean Murphy and Chad Pinder being the difference in the contest.
Player of the Game: Chad Pinder
Pinder’s three-run blast turned out to be the big difference on Wednesday and stopped the hopes of a series sweep dead in its tracks.
Next Up: Game Four Wednesday; First Pitch at 2:37