Athletics rally in 8th inning to beat Astros, snap 5-game skid

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer August 22, 2026 - 7:54 pm HOUSTON — Donovan Walton homered and Tommy White recorded three hits as the Athletics rallied with a four‑run eighth inning to defeat the Houston Astros 4‑3, snapping a five‑game losing streak. Trailing 3‑1, Oakland had runners on second and third with one out in the eighth when a wild throw by Bennett Sousa (1‑2) allowed the tying run to score. Lawrence Butler followed with a ground‑ball single to knot the game at 3‑3. White then doubled, and Butler crossed the plate on a groundout by Jonah Heim, giving the Athletics a 4‑3 lead. Elvis Alvarado closed out the ninth for his third save of the season. The Athletics announced plans to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028, where they will open play at a new ballpark on the Strip. Earlier, Daulton Varsho’s solo home run off Luis Medina (5‑3) put Houston ahead in the seventh, and a two‑out RBI single by Jeremy Peña stretched the Astros’ advantage to 3‑1. Hunter Brown yielded seven hits and one run over 5 2⁄3 innings for the Astros. Jacob Lopez struck out nine while allowing one run on three hits across six frames for Oakland. Walton opened the third with a changeup that sailed just beyond the bullpen in right‑center, putting Oakland up 1‑0. Houston answered in the fourth when Yainer Diaz drove an RBI triple with two outs to even the score. With two outs in the sixth, the Athletics had runners on first and second. Astros manager Joe Espada gestured toward right field as he left the dugout, apparently seeking a timeout to speak with Brown and keep him in the game. The umpires interpreted the gesture differently and compelled Espada to remove Brown. After a brief discussion with the officials, play resumed and AJ Blubaugh entered, retiring Heim. Looking ahead, Houston right‑hander Cristian Javier (1‑4, 6.44 ERA) will face left‑hander Brady Basso (0‑0, 3.91 ERA) when the series concludes Sunday.