Game #155: A’s outduel Astros with walk-off in 9th inning

However, Elvis Andrus was hurt on the winning play

That’s the Oakland A’s team we’d been hoping to see all summer.

The A’s outdueled the Houston Astros in a close game Saturday afternoon, winning 2-1 on a walk-off double in the 9th inning.

*** Click here to revisit today’s Game Thread! ***

After a disappointing season, Oakland is trying to stave off postseason elimination as long as possible, and this was their second straight victory over division-leading Houston. Yesterday they did it in grand style with a 14-run blowout, and today they switched to a playoff-style thriller full of great pitching that went down to the final at-bat.

On the mound, Sean Manaea breezed through seven innings, with only one mistake leading to a solo homer. Oakland’s bullpen was even better, retiring all six batters they faced on 18 pitches.

The A’s lineup took a while to get going, stranding a handful of runners in the first six innings, but after the Astros homered in the 7th they responded with a run of their own off former Athletics pitcher Kendall Graveman. Later, with the score still tied in the bottom of the 9th, Elvis Andrus singled and Starling Marte doubled him home for the winning run.

A quality start from the rotation, some zeroes from the bullpen, and a couple clutch hits from the offense. The elusive recipe that didn’t come together often enough this year.

Unfortunately, the celebration at the end was cut short. Andrus was hurt on his way around the bases and limped the final stretch before collapsing onto the plate. “As he was coming around third, felt a pop in his left ankle,” said manager Bob Melvin.

More details coming. Keep hitting refresh!