Laureano hits 2 HRs, then winning sac fly as A's beat Astros

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — It’s only May, yet the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics sure look like they might be fighting for the AL West over the next four months.

Ramón Laureano hit two home runs, then lofted a game-ending sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to send the A's past the Astros 6-5 on Tuesday night, ending Houston's season-best six-game winning streak.

“It seems like he always hits a homer against us,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said of the former Houston outfielder. “He’s cold in our reports coming in here but he warmed back up against us.”

Laureano pumped his left fist when his one-out flyball off Bryan Abreu (2-2) reached center field and Mark Canha scurried home from third.

“Even those games that we don’t win, playing the games we feel like we can come back anytime," Laureano said.

Matt Chapman hit a tying double in the eighth after Canha's sacrifice fly the previous inning.

Yusmeiro Petit (5-0) pitched the ninth for the win.

Defending AL West champion Oakland moved 1 1/2 games up on the Astros and has led the division since April 8.

“If it’s anything like it has been the first three series then it’s going to be a wild ride,” A's left-hander Sean Manaea said of the race with Houston, "looking forward to it.”

Kyle Tucker homered and Yordan Álvarez hit a two-run double in the first for Houston.

Astros starter Cristian Javier struck out nine in six innings, allowing three runs on five hits while facing Oakland for the third time this season.

Laureano hit solo shots in the first and fourth against Javier to give him 10 homers. He's tied for the team lead with Matt Olson, who hit his 10th in the sixth.

“We’re down and then all of a sudden Ramon shows up for a couple homers and it feels like a different...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Laureano-hits-2-HRs-then-winning-sac-fly-as-A-s-16187236.php