Athletics lose to Houston 5-2

The Oakland Athletics conclude a three-game set today against the Houston Astros this Memorial Day weekend at the Oakland Coliseum. Right-hander Aaron Brooks, 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA, took the mound for the A’s today, facing 30-year-old Ronel Blanco, making his first start after serving his ten-day suspension for being arrested with an illegal substance on his glove. .

Both pitchers got through the first face at minimum, then the second and third innings with minimal effort. The score was tied 0-0 after four innings.

With one out in the top of the fourth, Jon Singleton doubled down the right field line. Jake Meyers dropped a perfect bunt down the third-base line, moving Singleton to third and pulling him in for a hit. Astros safety Yainer Diaz brought home Singleton with a sacrifice fly. Maurice Dubón arrived on an error from Max Schuemann. José Altuve had a driving single into Meyers and Dubón. Kyle Tucker hit to deep right field, scoring Altuve with him.

Blanco stopped the A’s in the bottom of the fourth. In the top of the fifth, with runners on first and second and one out, A’s skipper Mark Kotsay pulled Brooks and brought in Tyler Ferguson. Jake Meyers walked to load the bases, but Yainer Diaz hit an inning ending a 6-4-3 double play.

Ferguson pitched a 1-2-3 in the sixth inning, striking out the first two batters of the inning. Max Schuemann homered from the ninth spot in the lineup to make it 5-1. Abraham Toro followed with a hit to left field. A double play ball by Bleday ended the rally, then a ground out ended the first inning.

Jack O’Loughlin replaced Ferguson in the top of the seventh. It was the 24-year-old Australian’s major league debut. Bregman and Peña greeted him with hits after Alvarez exited. He struck out Singleton, but then walked Meyers to load the bases. A flyout by Diaz broke up the inning for O’Loughlin. He had to work for it, but held the Astros scoreless. But he made it through the eighth, 1-2-3.

Bryan Abreu replaced Blanco in the bottom of the eighth. Gelof greeted him as he walked. But a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning. O’Loughlin continued his mastery in the top of the ninth with another hitless inning. He pitched three scoreless innings in his major league debut.

Astros manager Joe Espada decided to go with closer Josh Hader, even though it wasn’t a backup situation. Shea Langeliers homered to make it 5-2 with a run in the ninth. But that was all the A’s could muster.

No Memorial Day baseball for the A’s this year. They will open their next series against Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.