Alex Bregman hits two home runs and drives in 4 runs as Astros beat Athletics 9-2

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman hit two homers and had a season-high four RBIs to lead the Houston Astros to a 9-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

Bregman homered against Oakland starter Ross Stripling (1-7) in the fourth inning, reminiscent of the home run he hit against Stripling in the 2018 All-Star Game. Bregman homered again in the seventh against Mitch Spence. Bregman entered Monday with just one home run in 144 at-bats this season, but caught fire and had his sixth career multihomer game.

Bregman then added a double in the eighth that scored Trey Cabbage and Jeremy Peña to give Houston a 7-2 lead. He entered Monday with a .167 average in May and .201 this season.

The Astros have now won four of their last five games, including a series victory in Detroit. Oakland has lost four of five.

Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti (1-4) allowed two runs on five hits in five innings, while striking out five. Arrighetti has now pitched at least five innings in three straight starts after failing to get out of the fifth in his first three career starts.

The Astros took a 2-0 lead in the third inning after Kyle Tucker doubled to score José Altuve, who had reached base with two outs after Stripling hit him in the back of the thigh with a 0 sinker -2.

Altuve added an RBI single in the seventh to give Houston a 5-2 lead. Victor Caratini followed Bregman’s double in the eighth inning with a two-run double to make it 9-2.

Houston scored in the second inning when Oakland first baseman Tyler Soderstrom made a throwing error at third base that allowed Peña to score.

TRAINERS ROOM

Athletics: RHP Paul Blackburn (right foot stress reaction) was placed on injured reserve Monday, and Oakland recalled LHP Easton Lucas for his second stint with the club this year.

Astros: RHP José Urquidy, who has not pitched this season because of an elbow injury, made his first start while rehabbing at Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, throwing 2 2/3 innings and 46 pitches. … OF Chas McCormick (right hamstring discomfort) also began DH rehab, scoring 2 out of 5 with a double.

FOLLOWING

RHP JP Sears (3-2, 4.20 ERA) will start Game 2 of the Athletics’ series against Houston on Tuesday night. Sears is 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA in four career appearances, including three starts, against Houston. RHP Ronel Blanco (4-0, 3.64) faces Oakland for the first time in his career.

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