HOUSTON (AP) — The Oakland Athletics were riding a franchise-record, 15-game errorless streak entering Sunday.
Four errors ended the streak, while also costing the A’s the game.
Jake Marisnick scored the winning run on an errant throw in the 10th inning as the Houston Astros rallied for a 2-1 victory over Oakland.
Marisnick led off the 10th with a single off Liam Hendricks (0-2) and stole second on George Springer’s strikeout before reaching third on a groundout by Marwin Gonzalez.
After Jose Altuve was intentionally walked, Marisnick scored on Carlos Correa’s chopper to third that Danny Valencia threw up the line to first as Yonder Alonso’s attempted tag missed Correa.
“I made it earlier in the game when (Evan) Gattis hit me the ball,” Valencia said of the game-ending play. “I made the same play. I knew I had to get rid of it quick because Correa was running. I threw a little wide.”
The walk-off win was the Astros eighth of the season, third against the A’s and second of the series, including Friday’s 10-9 win.
“He’ll tell you that it’s a play he expects to make,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said of Valencia. “You don’t win many games with four errors, yet we got one pitch away from winning the game. The first ones didn’t cost us, but the last one did.”
Will Harris (1-1) pitched a perfect 10th for the win.
Evan Gattis hit an RBI double with two outs in the ninth off Ryan Madson to tie it at 1.
“These guys have battled me for years,” Madson said. “A lot of times they find a way. They found a way. It seems like I make one mistake, they’re on it. So I don’t know if they’ve got my pitches, I don’t know if I’m just not making good enough pitches. Just have to keep going out there and fighting.”
Marcus Semien gave the A’s a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the sixth. Matt McBride started the inning with a single and moved to second on Coco Crisp’s sacrifice bunt before Semien’s single.
The rally spoiled a superb outing from Sean Manaea, who scattered five hits with six strikeouts in seven shutout innings. Manaea had struggled away from Oakland, going 0-3 with an 11.66 ERA in three starts entering Sunday.
“It’s definitely the best start I’ve had up here,” Manaea said. “Just really happy with how things turned out. Just felt really good the whole game. Changeup was working really well, was able to throw my slider for strikes at times and being able to locate my fastball was huge for me.”
Dallas Keuchel allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts in seven innings. The left-hander continued his recent string of good outings and has allowed three runs or less in four of his last five starts.
TRAINING ROOM
Athletics: 2B Eric Sogard (left knee surgery) will start to do more baseball activity after the All Star break, Melvin said. LHP Sean Doolittle, who has been on the 15-day DL with a left shoulder strain since late June, hasn’t thrown yet, but is feeling better, Melvin said.
Astros: OF Colby Rasmus was out of the lineup for a third straight day with an ear infection. ... RHP Scott Feldman was day-to-day after leaving Saturday’s game in the ninth due to back stiffness. Manager A.J. Hinch said Feldman would not have been available for Sunday’s game anyways due to throwing 52 pitches Saturday.
SHOWING OFF THE SPEED
Gattis had his first career steal in the second. Gattis took off for second and went in without a throw as Danny Worth was called out on strikes. Gattis had only one other stolen base attempt in his career, a caught stealing on July 23, 2015, against Boston.
UP NEXT
Athletics: LHP Rich Hill (9-3, 2.25 ERA) is scheduled to start the first game back from the All-Star break Friday against Toronto. Hill has a six-game winning streak and has allowed three runs or less in each of his last 12 starts.
Astros: RHP Doug Fister (8-6, 3.55) is scheduled to start the first game back from the All-Star break Friday in Seattle. Fister will be looking to end a three-game losing streak.
