The Athletics got two very different pitching performances Friday night.
Jack Perkins struggled through four innings, while Mason Barnett was nearly untouchable in relief. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome in a 5-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.
The defeat dropped the A’s to 30-33 and back to four games behind first-place Seattle in the American League West.
First-inning blow
Houston took control almost immediately.
Jeremy Peña opened the bottom of the first with a single and Yordan Alvarez followed with a walk. One out later, Isaac Paredes launched a three-run homer to left-center field to give the Astros a 3-0 lead.
The Astros added two more runs in the third. Alvarez singled before Christian Walker tripled into right field to score him. Paredes then lifted a sacrifice fly to right, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Perkins (2-3) allowed five runs on five hits over four innings. He walked two and struck out six.
Barnett answers the call
After Perkins exited, Barnett delivered the type of outing the Athletics hoped to see when they recalled him from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this week.
The right-hander entered in the fifth and shut Houston down the rest of the way. Barnett allowed just one hit across four scoreless innings while striking out seven and walking two.
Meanwhile, he retired 12 of the 15 batters he faced and kept the Athletics within striking distance.
Barnett and fellow call-up Kade Morris were promoted Tuesday as the club looked to reinforce its pitching depth amid recent rotation injuries.
Rooker provides lone spark
The Athletics threatened early but could not capitalize.
In the second inning, Henry Bolte and Zack Gelof singled to help load the bases with one out. However, Houston starter Peter Lambert escaped by striking out Jeff McNeil and Darell Hernaiz.
The A’s finally broke through in the sixth.
Brent Rooker hammered a solo home run to left field for his ninth homer of the season and 27th RBI. The blast accounted for the club’s only run of the night.
Bolte finished 3-for-4 with a double and was responsible for three of the Athletics’ five hits. Gelof added a single, while the A’s went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
Lambert (5-4) earned the win after allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings. Josh Hader struck out the side in the ninth to close it out.
Up next
The Athletics continue their series in Houston on Saturday.
Right-hander Kade Morris is expected to make his major league debut after posting a 5-3 record with a 4.45 ERA in 11 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas. Houston is scheduled to counter with right-hander Imai.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
