Astros Pound A’s, Win 6-4

Chris Carter and Colby Rasmus each hit a two-run homer and Jason Castro added a solo shot to help the Houston Astros secure a 6-4 win over Sonny Gray and the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park Tuesday.

"I believed these guys were going to hit some homers, and they've hit some off some lefties, and it's been fun to manage," said Astros manager A.J. Hinch.

"We had a lot of opportunities early and we made a few outs on the bases again," Hinch added. "You never feel like it's enough. That team across the way, I know the record doesn't indicate it, but that team competes and they're in all these one-run games all the time. We knew they were going to hang around, and obviously we could have done without them getting that close, but I was proud of our guys for continuing to tack on when we had the lead."

It was the sixth win in seven games for the first-place Astros. Houston improved to 26-14, the best 40-game start in franchise history

Astros’ starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez (2-3) worked six innings, the seventh consecutive start in which he has gone at least six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits to earn the win.

Gray allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings in his first career start at Minute Maid.

Carter’s two-run shot came in the second inning off Gray. Rasmus and Castro hit their dingers in the eighth inning off A’s left-handed reliever Fernando Abad. Abad has allowed four homers in just 11 innings, after giving up four all of last season.

Houston closer Luke Gregerson struggled in trying to close out the game for the Astros giving up two earned runs on two hits  in getting the first two outs of the ninth. Pat Neshek came on to get the final out of the game and secure his first save of the season.

The A’s and Astros wrap up the three-game series Wednesday at Minute Maid with a 1:10 p.m. first pitch. Oakland is expected to send Jesse Hahn (0-3, 4.42 ERA) to the mound. The Astros will counter with ace Dallas Keuchel who will be looking to go 6-0 and improve on his major league leading 1.87 ERA.

Game three can be heard on Sportsradio 1340 The Fan beginning with the pre-game at 12:45 p.m.