How Changing Playoff Dynamics Impact Houston Astros Strategy

Hogan Harris and three relievers combined to throw an eight-hit shutout, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 4-0 on Monday night.

Harris (2-3) allowed seven hits in 6 2/3 innings and tied a career-high seven strikeouts. The win was Harris’ first since June 18.

The match lasted 2 hours and 7 minutes and was played in front of an announced crowd of 4,517.

JJ Bleday had three hits while Lawrence Butler and Max Schuemann added two hits each to lead the A’s to their second win in eight games against the Astros.

Houston entered the day tied with Seattle for first place in the AL West.

Oakland has the fifth-most errors (61) in the major leagues, but has three triple plays to tie St. Louis for the most errors in baseball (103).

Austin Adams followed Harris and retired Alex Bregman on a swinging strikeout, ending a two-on-two threat in the seventh.

Lucas Erceg struck out three batters and Mason Miller pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to end the game.

Yordan Alvarez doubled in four at-bats after hitting the cycle against Seattle on Sunday. Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena added two hits for the Astros.

The A’s got their offense struggling early, stringing together four straight one-out hits off Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti in the third.

Miguel Andujar doubled a run with a drive down the left-field line, and a second run was scored when Astros left fielder Mauricio Dubón fumbled the ball while trying to retrieve it. Bleday followed with an RBI double to give the A’s a 3-0 lead.

Schuemann singled off Zack Gelof in the fourth inning to make it 4-0.

Arrighetti (4-8) allowed seven hits and four runs in six innings.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Astros: Former INF All-Star Aledmys Diaz was recalled from the Florida Coast League and added to the roster. Diaz, who started the season with Oakland before being released July 5, played first base and went 0-for-3. … Catcher Victor Caratini (hip) was activated from the 10-day injured list. Catchers Greg Kessinger and Cesar Salazar were sent to Triple-A Sugar Land. Catcher David Hensley was designated for assignment.

FOLLOWING

Astros rookie right-hander Jake Bloss (0-0, 4.70 ERA) will face Oakland in his third career start Tuesday. The A’s plan to call up right-hander Osvaldo Bido (1-1, 3.44), who will make his second start of the season after a stellar stint in the bullpen.