Athletics erupt in 6th inning, knock off Astros

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — September 25, 2026 — 10:58 pm The Athletics edged the Houston Astros 6-5 on Friday, sparked by a two‑run outburst in the sixth inning. Jacob Lopez opened the game and worked six frames, surrendering only two hits and a lone run. That run came on a solo home run by Christian Walker in the fourth, which gave Houston a 1-0 advantage. The lead held until a misplay by Jose Altuve in the bottom of the sixth ignited an Athletics rally. After a sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third with one out, Hunter Brown (6‑4) was replaced by Bennett Sousa. The bullpen then faltered when AJ Blubaugh entered and yielded a bases‑clearing two‑run triple by Henry Bolte, stretching the lead to 5-1. Bolte finished the contest 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while Michael Stefanic went 1-for-1, also driving in two runs. Lopez added four strikeouts to his line. The victory guarantees that the AL West champion will become the first postseason team in baseball history to complete a full season at .500 or worse. Houston remains atop the division after Texas dropped a 10-2 decision to the Twins, leaving both clubs at 79-81. Looking ahead, the Athletics will start right‑hander Jack Perkins (3-12) on Saturday; the Astros have not yet announced their starter.