Houston (USA), Oct 1 (EFE) .- After having had the title of champions of the American League West Division the night before, the Houston Astros arrived at Minute Maid Park to face the last series of the regular season and the Oakland Athletics, their direct rivals, until they were eliminated from the playoffs this week, won 8-6.
Matt Olson and Chad Pinder hit home runs for the Athletics who came from behind to win against the Astros, who saw their home lead in the American League playoffs reduced.
Houston has a one-game lead over the Chicago White Sox. The team that finishes on top will be able to close the division series at home to a maximum of five games, which begins next week.
The Astros, monarchs of the AL West Division, also have an advantage in the tiebreaker, as they have a 5-2 record in direct games this season against Chicago, champion of the Central.
Pinder hit a solo home run in the fourth while Olson hit a two-run hit in the sixth to extend Oakland’s lead to 4-1.
Additionally, Pinder hit an RBI for Oakland, who scored four times in the eighth inning and took an 8-2 lead.
Starter Sean Manaea (11-20) allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 acts, with six strikeouts, and the Athletics snapped a three-game losing streak.
Dominican left-hander Framber Valdez (11-6) received four touchdowns and the same number of hits in five innings, during which he struck out seven.
The A’s offense featured Starling Marte with a contribution of two runs scored after going 4-1.
While for the Astros, his compatriot, rookie José Siri had 1-1 with a run scored, Cuban Aledmys Díaz 5-1 with an RBI and Puerto Rican Carlos Correa 3-2 with a run scored.
(c) EFE Agency
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