HOUSTON -- Astros ace Dallas Keuchel is back to giving opponents a pain in the neck.
Keuchel, making his fifth start since missing eight weeks with neck discomfort, turned in his second consecutive gem by throwing seven scoreless innings to lead the Astros to their third win in four games, 3-1, over the Athletics on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Keuchel (11-2) allowed three hits and one walk and forced the A's into a steady diet of ground-ball outs for his 12th consecutive quality start against Oakland. The Astros (75-47), who began the day with a 12-game lead over the Angels atop the American League West, improved to 18-2 against the A's since July 20, 2016.