Spanish
WEST SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — Nick Kurtz played the hero again. Oakland Athletics' first baseman hit a two-run homer in the tenth inning against star closer Josh Hader, leading his team to an exciting 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros this Thursday night.
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Kurtz's home run, his second in four days to leave the Astros stranded, came with a 2-1 count and a sinker from Hader that was deposited beyond center field. Tyler Soderstrom, who started the inning as an automatic runner on second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, scored the winning run. The victory marked the fifth triumph in the last seven games for the Athletics, who also had a power night: Willie McIver hit his first home run in the Major Leagues and drove in two runs, while Lawrence Butler and Jacob Wilson added solo home runs. Oakland had taken a 4-1 lead, but Víctor Caratini tied the game with a three-run homer in the eighth inning against closer Mason Miller. Houston's reaction was neutralized in the bottom of the tenth thanks to Kurtz's decisive hit. Pitcher Michael Kelly (1-0) earned the victory after retiring in order the three batters he faced in the tenth. By the Astros, Dominicans Jeremy Peña went 2-for-5 with an RBI and Yainer Díaz went 1-for-5. Puerto Rican Caratini went 1-for-4 with three RBIs. Venezuelan José Altuve did not get a hit in four at-bats. For the Athletics, Mexican Luis Urías stood out by going 2-for-4. With this victory, Oakland continues to show signs of life and confidence in a season in full reconstruction, while Houston suffered another painful setback, this time at the hands of a young figure who has already become a recent nightmare: "Nick Kurtz".Would you like an alternative headline or version for social media?
