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A’s spirited rally nipped on steal attempt
- Updated: September 21, 2016
OAKLAND — The Astros were hoping to take advantage of a more favorable schedule down the stretch in their push for the playoffs. So far, so good.
Designated hitter Evan Gattis cranked his 29th and 30th homers of the season, and Collin McHugh won his fifth consecutive decision to send the Astros to a 6-5 win Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum to polish off a three-game sweep of the A’s.
Astros catcher Jason Castro threw out pinch-runner Arismendy Alcantara at second base on a caught stealing to end the game. The A’s scored a run in the ninth on a two-out ground ball off the bat of Stephen Vogt that went through the legs of second baseman Jose Altuve for an error to cut the lead to 6-5, but the caught stealing, which went to a crew-chief review, stood to end the game.
The Astros, who have won six of their last seven games, began play Wednesday two games behind the Orioles for the second Wild Card spot in the American League, with the Tigers only a half-game ahead of Houston.
McHugh (12-10) allowed two runs, six hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings to improve to 5-0 in his last six …