For the first time all season, the Houston Astros were in first place in the AL West heading into Monday night’s matchup with the Oakland Athletics. The Acadiana area was well represented by two former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns pitchers, Spencer Arrighetti and Hogan Harris, who got the starting nod. This was the first time in MLB history that two Cajuns pitchers started against each other. Harris and his team got the better of Arrighetti and the Astros as the Athletics got the 4-0 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Houston’s Alex Bregman grounded into a double play after Jose Altuve recorded the leadoff bunt single to third base. Yordan Alvarez however got into scoring position after hitting a double that bounced off the center-field wall but Hogan Harris got out of the inning by striking out Yainer Diaz.
Spencer Arrighetti started his performance on the mound with a couple of fly-outs by Lawrence Butler and Miguel Andujar then ended the first inning by striking out Brent Rooker.
The Astros had a prime opportunity to take an early lead as Jeremy Pena and Jake Meyers hit singles into right field. Mauricio Dubon advanced both base runners with a sacrifice bunt to Harris but the A’s starting pitcher got out of the jam by retiring Aledmys Diaz and Chas McCormick.
It was a rough third inning for Arrighetti. Oakland’s nine-hole hitter Max Schuemann began a hitting streak with a single into right field. Butler followed that with a hit up the middle, then Andujar recorded an RBI double down the left-field line. Dubon couldn’t coral the ball, leading to a second run on the play but didn’t stop there. JJ Bleday got his second hit with a double off the right-field wall to put the A’s up 3-0.
After a three-up-three-down inning, Oakland extended their lead in the fourth. Zack Gelof walked, stole second, and advanced to third after Harris grounded out to second. The Athletics then went up by four with an RBI single by Schuemann into left field.
Harris remained on the mound until the top of the seventh. The 27-year-old began the inning by striking out Dubon and forcing Diaz into a ground out. A’s Skipper Mark Kotsay pulled Harris and called in Austin Adams after McCormick was walked. Altuve hit a single up the middle on Adams but Bregman went down swinging to keep the Astros at bay.
Arrighetti’s day was finished through six and was replaced by Bryan King. The 24-year-old allowed seven hits and four runs while striking out three A’s batters. King got through the frame in 10 pitches as he struck out Schuemann and forced grounders by Butler and Andujar.
Mason Miller made an appearance on the mound for Oakland in the ninth and secured the 4-0 win as Meyers hit a flyout and Dubon grounded to second. Jon Singleton pinch-hit for Diaz but couldn’t start a comeback as he copied Dubon and was the final out of the ballgame.
With the loss, Houston dropped to 52-48.
BIG NUMBER: 8
Despite recording eight hits on the night, the Astros were held scoreless as former Cajuns pitcher Hogan Harris struck out seven, and Houston batters hit three double plays.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Hogan Harris
Harris kept the Houston offense in check on Monday night by not allowing a run and retired seven batters as the Astros lost 4-0, dropping their record to 52-48.
UP NEXT: Game two between the Astros and Athletics is set for Tuesday, July 23rd. The first pitch at Oakland Coliseum is set for 8:40 p.m. and Astro Launch will begin at 8:10 p.m. The action can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.