HOUSTON — Dallas Keuchel became the first pitcher in the majors to reach five victories on the season, carrying a shutout into the eighth inning of the Houston Astros’ 7-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
Keuchel (5-0) was one strike shy of twirling eight shutout innings, but Athletics shortstop Adam Rosales’ two-out single facilitated a pitching change. Rosales subsequently scored when first baseman Ryon Healy slapped a single to center field off Astros reliever Luke Gregerson, who limited the damage to one run.
Keuchel allowed three hits and two walks while striking out nine over 7 2/3 innings. It marked the fifth time in six starts that Keuchel has surrendered one earned run of less. Keuchel matched right-hander Roger Clemens for the franchise record for victories in April. Clemens also won five games for the Astros in 2004.
Astros center fielder George Springer went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa and catcher Brian McCann also recorded multi-hit games.
Correa plated Springer with an RBI double off Athletics right-hander Jesse Hahn (1-2) in the first inning. Gattis delivered a two-run single off Hahn in the fifth, scoring Springer and right fielder Josh Reddick, who reached base on a catcher’s interference for the third time this series. Third baseman Marwin Gonzalez broke the game open with his three-run homer off the right field foul pole in the eighth.
The Astros (16-9) claimed the rubber match of the series. Oakland (11-14) lost for the sixth time in seven games.
NOTES: Athletics LHP Sean Manaea was placed on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to April 27) with shoulder tightness. Manaea was set to have his turn in the rotation skipped after leaving his previous start on April 26, and the timing of the dates facilitated his being placed on the DL. … Astros CF Jake Marisnick made a second rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi, this time playing in the field, as he works back from a concussion suffered last Sunday at Tampa Bay. Marisnick is slated for recall from the seven-day concussion disabled list on Monday. … Astros RHP Jandel Gustave will throw a second bullpen on Monday before a decision is made on the location of his rehab assignment. Gustave was placed on the 10-day disabled list on April 19 with right forearm tightness. … Athletics CF Rajai Davis ran without issue on Sunday and is scheduled to be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday in Minnesota. Davis was placed on the DL on April 22 with a strained left hamstring.