Astros Overcome Athletics with Late Inning Surge

In a pivotal seventh inning, Zach Dezenzo launched a home run and Victor Caratini contributed two RBIs, propelling the Houston Astros to a 5-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday.

The Athletics held a narrow lead when rookie Justin Sterner (1-1) replaced Luis Severino to start the seventh. Dezenzo, facing Sterner, connected on the fourth pitch, sending it 416 feet to center field for his second homer of the season, leveling the score at 3-3.

With two outs and runners on second and third, Caratini delivered a crucial single to center, bringing both runners home and shifting the momentum in favor of Houston.

Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three runs in what marked his fifth start after a lengthy injury hiatus. He struck out 12 batters, matching his career high from 2018.

Shawn Dubin (2-0) entered in the seventh, striking out two and securing the win, while Josh Hader notched his 14th save of the season with a flawless ninth inning.

For the Athletics, Jacob Wilson hit a home run and drove in two runs, but the team has struggled recently, now sitting at 3-17 over their last 20 games.

Severino's performance included three hits and two runs—one earned—over six innings, marking his 1,003rd career strikeout and making him the 48th active player to reach that milestone.

Christian Walker was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning and left the game in the sixth. Manager Joe Espada reported that Walker was struck on the top of his hand near the knuckles, but X-rays returned negative.

The Astros capitalized on Sterner's pitching in the seventh after Severino's strong outing had kept them at bay for six innings.

Looking ahead, LHP Jacob Lopez (0-2, 2.57 ERA) is set to start for the Athletics on Thursday night as they begin a four-game series against Toronto. Meanwhile, the Astros will face Tampa Bay with RHP Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.58) on the mound against RHP Shane Baz (4-3, 4.94).