Las Vegas A's

Jump, Kurtz lead A’s to 5-0 win in Houston, avoid sweep

A’s 5-0 win Sunday in Houston snapped the skid and avoided a sweep behind Gage Jump’s 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Nick Kurtz set the tone with a two-run homer, and Brent Rooker added a double and a homer to give Oakland enough separation.

by
Mark Hebert
June 7, 2026

Athletics starting pitcher Gage Jump delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros on June 7, 2026, at Daikin Park in Houston. Jump allowed three hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Athletics' 5-0 victory.

Gage Jump continued his strong start to his major league career Sunday, firing 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Athletics' 5-0 victory over the Astros at Daikin Park. The rookie left-hander earned his second win while helping the A's salvage the series finale. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Gage Jump continued his impressive start Sunday, and the Athletics backed him with enough power in a 5-0 win over the Astros at Daikin Park. The win helped the A’s avoid a three-game sweep and improve to 31-34. They remain third in the AL West, 2.5 games behind Seattle.

Kurtz gets it started

The Athletics broke through in the third inning after Alika Williams opened the frame with a single. Then Nick Kurtz followed with a two-run homer to right-center.

Kurtz’s 12th homer of the season left the bat at 113.9 mph and traveled 389 feet. Later in the inning, Shea Langeliers singled, stole second and scored on Brent Rooker’s RBI double.

Adding on

The A’s added another run in the fourth after Zack Gelof doubled and scored on a fielding error by Jeremy Peña. Then Rooker added more breathing room in the fifth with his 10th homer of the season.

Rooker finished 2-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBIs. Kurtz drove in two runs, while Lawrence Butler added two hits.

Jump jams Houston

Jump worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed three hits. He walked three, struck out three and lowered his ERA to 2.45.

Houston threatened early, but Jump kept finding outs. The Astros finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six on base, while the A’s turned two double plays behind him.

teamwork 🙂‍↕️#VoteAthletics | https://t.co/SBezYOtGtG pic.twitter.com/1mXAjfl7qQ

— Athletics (@Athletics) June 7, 2026

Bullpen closes it

Justin Sterner inherited two runners in the seventh and stranded both. Then Mark Leiter Jr. struck out Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña in a clean eighth.

Hogan Harris handled the ninth as four A’s pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout. Cam Smith had two of Houston’s four hits, while Yordan Alvarez and Nick Allen had the others.

Up next

The Athletics open a series against the Brewers on Monday at Las Vegas Ballpark. Jeffrey Springs is scheduled to start for the A’s, while Milwaukee is set to counter with Kyle Harrison.

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.