Disastrous inning sends the Oakland A’s to a loss against the Houston Astros

Oakland Athletics pitcher Ross Stripling (36) leaves during the fourth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

OAKLAND — Through three rounds, Ross Stripling flirted with an unforgettable start. Midway through the fourth, Stripling left with the beginnings of oblivion.

After retiring the first nine batters he faced Friday night at the Coliseum, Stripling allowed six runs on eight hits and failed to finish the fourth inning as the A’s fell to the Astros 6-3.

Oakland (21-32), which just won two of the Rockies’ three games, has lost all five of its games to Houston (23-28) this season, swept at Minute Maid Park earlier this month.

Stripling cruised through the first three innings, needing just 29 pitches to retire every batter he faced the first time in the order. In the first inning, Stripling took advantage of the cold conditions as Kyle Tucker’s deep drive to center field faded on the warning track. The fourth round brought no such luck.

Jose Altuve led off the fourth with an infield single, forcing Stripling into the sequence for the first time. Tucker hit a simple, awkward check-swing. Yordan Alvarez brought home Altuve with a double. Alex Bregman followed with a two-run single. Jake Meyers delivered the big blow three batters later, turning a hanging slider into a three-run homer that gave the Astros a 6-1 lead.

Altuve, greeted by boos every time he entered the box, had two singles during the inning – the first ending Stripling’s attempt perfectly, the second ending Stripling’s night. After allowing Altuve to reach a second time, Stripling was pulled for Kyle Muller, who pitched four shutout innings of long relief.

Since pitching six shutout innings on May 1, Stripling has allowed 17 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings (9.98 ERA) in his last four starts. Stripling’s 5.82 ERA is currently second-worst in the American League and third-worst in baseball among qualified pitchers.

For Justin Verlander, those six runs were more than enough.

Making what was perhaps his final start in Oakland, Verlander allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings with nine strikeouts, continuing his dominance at the Coliseum. In 20 career starts in Oakland (including the playoffs), Verlander owns a 2.35 ERA with 148 strikeouts in 137 2/3 innings.

Miguel Andujar, returned from the injured list Friday afternoon, collected three hits and two RBIs in his Oakland debut, his first-inning RBI single being the second-hardest hit ball of his career (110, 8 mph). JJ Bleday scored for the third straight game by launching a solo shot in the fifth inning.