Chad Pinder hit his second grand slam in two weeks, Frankie Montas pitched five innings in what could have been his last appearance for Oakland and the A’s held their own to beat the Houston Astros 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Tony Kemp hit an RBI double and Stephen Piscotty hit two doubles for the A’s, who have won five of six and outscored the best team in the majors on the road for the second night in a row.
Montas (4-9), about whom trade rumors have circulated and whose next start is scheduled for August 2, when the transfer market closes, achieved his first victory since June 11. The right-hander allowed three runs on seven hits and walked three.
Lou Trivino pitched the ninth for his 10th save.
Venezuelan Luis García (8-6) took the loss after giving up four hits and as many runs in five and two-thirds innings.
For the Astros, the Dominican Jeremy Peña 4-1, with a run scored. Cubans Yordan Álvarez 3-2, with one scored and one produced; Aledmys Diaz 4-0; Yulieski Gurriel 1-0. The Venezuelan José Altuve 1-0. Puerto Rican Martin Maldonado 3-1.
For the Athletics, Puerto Rican Vimael Machín 2-0. The Dominican Ramón Laureano 3-0, with a run scored. The Venezuelan Elvis Andrus 4-1.