Astros blank A's 4-0 behind Alvarez's three-run night

Alvarez Drives In All Four Runs

The Houston Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Saturday, August 22, at Daikin Park. Yordan Alvarez was the offensive engine for the home club, recording two hits and driving in all four runs. The Astros, who improved to 65-64, did not allow a single earned run, capping a shutout victory over the Athletics, who fell to 49-80.

Game Unfolds in the Middle Innings

The Athletics scored no runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Astros broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Walker hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Paredes to score and giving Houston a 1-0 lead.

The margin widened in the bottom of the fifth. Alvarez doubled to center field, scoring Allen to make it 2-0. Immediately following that, Paredes doubled to right field, allowing Alvarez to cross the plate and extend the lead to 3-0.

The final run came in the bottom of the seventh inning when Alvarez doubled to shortstop, driving in Delgado to make the final score 4-0.

Pitching Performance

Hayden Wesneski earned the win for the Astros. He pitched five innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and four strikeouts while recording no earned runs. The bullpen held the Athletics scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Bennett Sousa pitched one inning with two hits, three strikeouts, and no earned runs. Bryan Abreu pitched one inning with two walks, two strikeouts, and no earned runs. Steven Okert and Enyel De Los Santos each pitched one inning without allowing hits, walks, or earned runs.

Athletics Staff Struggles

J.T. Ginn took the loss for the Athletics. He pitched five innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts.

Elvis Alvarado pitched one inning, allowing one hit and one strikeout with no earned runs. Drew Rom pitched one and one-third innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, one walk, and one strikeout. Hayden Juenger pitched two-thirds of an inning without allowing hits, walks, or earned runs.

The attendance at Daikin Park was 28,477.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816616