Marte's double in 9th lifts A's 2-1, stalls Astros

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Starling Marte hit a game-ending double with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Oakland Athletics past the Houston Astros 2-1 on Saturday.

The A’s are four games behind AL wild card co-leaders Boston and New York, with Seattle and Toronto also in their way.

“There’s an element of desperation,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “You have to win. That’s what permeates our dugout right now.”

Houston’s magic number to clinch the AL West remained at three over Seattle.

Elvis Andrus singled off Ryan Pressly (5-3) to begin the Oakland ninth. After Josh Harrison struck out swinging, Marte lined an 0-1 pitch into the gap in right-center for his 500th career RBI.

“I was just trying to look for a good pitch I could drive into the gap,” Marte said through an interpreter. “Yan Gomes helped me, gave me some help, something to look for and it turned out OK for us.”

Andrus scored without a throw when center fielder Jose Siri’s throw back to the infield was low. That was significant because Andrus sustained an undisclosed left ankle injury rounding third base and was helped off the field after stumbling across home plate.

Melvin said Andrus felt a pop in his ankle and was taken for X-rays.

“We won a game, that’s good, (but) we may lose one of our toughest guys,” Melvin said. “We’ve got our fingers crossed that it’s not something significant.”

Andrew Chafin (2-3) retired three batters to win.

Harrison had an RBI single and Andrus singled twice for the A’s.

Kyle Tucker homered for Houston’s lone run. Jose Altuve doubled to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.

“Marte’s been a pain in our side and a pain in my side whatever team he’s been on,” Astros...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Marte-s-double-in-9th-lifts-A-s-2-1-stalls-Astros-16487726.php