A Six-Run Sixth Powers the Athletics
The Sacramento Athletics defeated the Houston Astros 6-5 on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Sutter Health Park before an attendance of 9,012. The decisive factor was a massive offensive outburst in the sixth inning, where the home team scored five runs to take a commanding lead.
Austin Wells Walker opened the scoring with a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning, but the game’s momentum shifted dramatically in the sixth. Stefanic singled to center, driving in McNeil and Gelof. Heim followed with a single to left, scoring Clarke.
Bolte then tripled to center, bringing in White and Heim. Butler grounded into a fielder's choice to first, allowing Bolte to score, giving the Athletics a 6-1 lead by the end of the inning.
Late Astros Push Falls Short
Houston attempted a comeback in the final three frames, scoring three runs to narrow the gap but ultimately falling short. Smith homered to left field in the seventh, cutting the deficit to four. In the eighth, Altuve hit a sacrifice fly to left, allowing Wade Jr. to score.
Diaz singled to left, bringing in Alvarez. The Astros' final run came when Paredes scored on a wild pitch by Medina, with Walker advancing to second and Diaz to third. Despite the late pressure, the Athletics held on for the victory.
Pitching Decisions and Records
Jacob Lopez earned the win for the Athletics, pitching six innings while allowing two hits and one earned run with two walks and four strikeouts. His record improved to 7-5. Seth Johnson pitched one inning, allowing one hit and one earned run with one strikeout.
Geoff Hartlieb pitched one-third of an inning, allowing one hit and three earned runs with two walks and one strikeout. Luis Medina recorded the hold, pitching two-thirds of an inning with one hit, no earned runs, one walk, and one strikeout, improving his hold total to 13.
Hogan Harris secured the save, pitching one inning with no hits, no earned runs, one walk, and one strikeout, bringing his save total to 17.
For Houston, Hunter Brown took the loss after pitching five and one-third innings, allowing two hits and one earned run with four walks and four strikeouts. His record dropped to 6-4. Bennett Sousa pitched no innings but was charged with three hits and three earned runs.
AJ Blubaugh pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing one hit and one earned run with one strikeout. Logan VanWey pitched one and one-third innings, allowing two hits and no earned runs with two strikeouts. Joshua Hendrickson pitched two-thirds of an inning, retiring all batters faced with no hits, no earned runs, and no walks.
The Athletics improved their record to 64-96, while the Astros fell to 79-81.
Sources
ESPN
