Astros Retake First In 4-2 Victory

Springer: Key double in fifth
(c) Associated Press
George Springer's bat stayed hot Tuesday night while Lance McCullers posted his team-leading fifth victory as Houston toppled the A's, 4-2, at Yoko O.no Coliseum. Springer banged a two-run double off the left field wall in the fifth inning that put Houston ahead to stay. His 2-for-4 night wasn't as spectacular as Monday's 6-for-6 blockbuster but his bat was a key, as well as his glove.

The triumph put the 23-15 Astros back in first since Anaheim lost to Colorado earlier in the day.

A wild pitch put Oakland ahead in the first and the Astros tied it in the second inning with a solo shot by Alex Bregman off the right field barrier above the yellow line against Sean Manaea.

McCullers allowed a single and a pair of walks to load the bases with none out in the third. Khris Davis drilled a liner to right which Springer snared with a leaping, twisting grab that could have cleared the bases. Instead, Marcus Semien tagged up and scored the second Oakland run. The next batter bounced into a double play to remove the threat of a bigger inning.

Springer's big double in the fifth happened with two outs after Brian McCann was hit by a pitch and Jake Marisnick lined a two-bagger to left.

McCullers left after five innings. He gave up five hits and four walks but hung in just long enough to get the win. Brad Peacock added two hitless innings of relief. Chris Devenski tossed a perfect eighth before Ken Giles sailed through the ninth for his fourth save. Marwin Gonzalez drove home Yuli Gurriel with a base hit in the sixth to provide an insurance run.

Gerrit Cole (3-1), fresh off a 16-strikeout one-hit shutout, gets to put his personal seal on a potential series sweep Wednesday afternoon. Daniel Mengden (2-3) will oppose him for Oakland. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:35 pm Central time.

- Bob Hulsey