Langeliers and Butler Power A's to 5-1 Victory Over Astros

Shea Langeliers and Lawrence Butler each hit home runs, while Nick Kurtz continued his impressive form with two hits, leading the Athletics to a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

Kurtz, fresh off a historic four-homer game, extended his hitting streak to 13 games, going 2 for 4 and boasting an impressive .549 batting average during this stretch.

In the sixth inning, Langeliers connected with a 3-2 fastball from Bennett Sousa, sending it into the Crawford Boxes in left field for his 16th home run of the season, giving the A's a 2-0 advantage.

As the game progressed to the ninth inning, with the A's holding a narrow 2-1 lead and two runners on base, Butler stepped up. He launched a 1-2 fastball from Hector Neris 409 feet into right field for his 15th home run, extending the lead to four runs.

The Athletics' pitching staff was effective, limiting the Astros to just four hits throughout the game. Jacob Lopez started strong, throwing 4 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Justin Sterner gave up one run in his 1 2/3 innings, but Sean Newcomb (3-5) struck out four batters while facing the minimum in the seventh and eighth innings. Mason Miller closed out the game with a flawless ninth inning.

Astros All-Star Hunter Brown (9-5) pitched five innings, allowing one run on four hits and lowering his ERA to 2.54. However, this marked the third consecutive game he did not pitch into the sixth inning.

Butler's three-run homer in the ninth solidified the A's commanding lead.

Notably, Houston's opponents have scored first in a franchise-record 17 straight games.

Looking ahead, Houston's left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon (4-2, 4.53 ERA) is scheduled to face right-hander J.T. Ginn (1-2, 4.50 ERA) in the series finale on Sunday.