Astros hit 5 homers in rout of Athletics to close in on AL West title

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — September 26, 2026 — The Houston Astros launched five home runs en route to a 13‑2 victory over the Oakland Athletics, tightening their grip on the AL West race. Yordan Alvarez deposited a three‑run shot in the fifth inning, marking his 42nd home run of the season and tying him with Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero for second place in the American League. Jeremy Peña contributed a pair of two‑run homers — one in the third and another in the eighth — finishing 4‑for‑6 with four RBIs. Isaac Paredes opened the scoring with a solo blast in the first inning and went 3‑for‑5, while Jose Altuve added to the offensive surge as the trio combined for nine of Houston’s 16 hits and seven RBIs. Hayden Wesneski (6‑2) worked seven innings, striking out five and conceding six hits and two runs. The Astros added six more runs between the seventh and ninth frames, highlighted by Lucas Spence’s solo homer, to stretch the lead to 13‑2. On the mound for Oakland, Jack Perkins (3‑13) lasted five innings, striking out nine but surrendering six runs and three home runs. The Athletics have announced intentions to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028, where they will open play at a new ballpark on the Strip. Neither club has named a starting pitcher for Sunday’s regular‑season finale.