HOUSTON - Sean Manaea’s awful August got something few other pitchers would consider a break: The left-hander faced AL West-leading Houston, one of his favorite opponents.
Manaea typically is at his best against the Astros, and Friday he put together his strongest outing in weeks, bedeviled only by two stray home-run pitches and a wild pitch that led to another run. He still took the loss, however, his third in four starters, because Houston starter Dallas Keuchel was typically superb in the Astros’ 3-1 victory at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros have taken 11 of the first 13 games between the teams this season, and Oakland has dropped 18 of the past 20 overall against Houston.