D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros Swept for First Time During 2022 Season
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The Houston Astros were swept for the first time of the season Wednesday as the Oakland A's took a three-game set from the American League West foe for the first time since September 2021 — the last time the Astros were swept by any team.
Entering on a five-game win streak, the bats couldn't catch up to the A's run production off starters Jake Odorizzi and Luis García. On Wednesday, Houston's offense couldn't even score more than two runs against Oakland.
Cristian Javier threw a respectable five innings on 92 pitches, striking out six in his outing. But home runs continued to plague his July, as the righty-hander surrendered back-to-back solo shots in the second inning to Stephen Vogt and Stephen Piscotty.
Oakland A's Catcher Stephen Vogt
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Javier has allowed five home runs on the month — he allowed just four home runs through through the first three months of the season. Since his no-hit performance against the New York Yankees on June 25, the righty has pitched through six innings in one of his five appearances.
The bats weren't active behind Javier. Jake Meyers tripled home Mauricio Dubón in the fifth inning to put the Astros within one run, but Tony Kemp continued to be a thorn in his former club's side, plating Jonah Bride in the bottom half of the frame on a 3-for-4 afternoon.
Yordan Álvarez added Houston's only other run with a solo home run in the sixth — his 29th long ball of the season. But as much as the Astros threatened, the offense slashed only five hits and stranded five runners on the afternoon.
The A's increased their lead to two runs in the seventh on an RBI-single from Skye Bolt off Phil Maton. The inherited runner from Seth Martinez, Piscotty advanced to second on a passed ball before scoring on Bolt's knock. Martinez's ERA (2.17) resides north of 2.00 for the first time this season.
The Astros end their road trip 3-3 with their sights on a four-game set with the Seattle Mariners starting 7:10 p.m. Thursday at Minute Maid Park. José Urquidy will make his last start prior to the trade deadline against Logan Gilbert.
More From SI's Inside The Astros:
- Report: Astros "Willing" to Trade a Starting Pitcher
- Astros' Prospect Pedro León Cutting Down Strikeouts in Best Offensive Month
- Report: Astros Being "Extremely Aggressive" as Trade Deadline Approaches
- Benintendi Could be an Ideal Trade Target for the Astros
- Astros Announce Signings of First- and Second-Round Picks
- Astros' Winning Streak Snapped After A's Shell Odorizzi
- Is Garrett Cooper the Solution at First Base for the Astros?
- Astros' McCormick, Díaz Improving in Brantley's Absense
- Astros Seek to End Road Swing Unblemished at Oakland
- Astros Sweep Mariners as Altuve, Peña Launch Back-to-Back Homers
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