The Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 11-4 in the first game of their crucial three-game series, breaking open a 5-4 game with six runs in the bottom of the eighth and stretching their lead over the A's to 2.5 games. Alex Bregman had a huge night, going 4-for-5, including a three-run shot off tough reliever Lou Trivino to slam the door:
That's six wins in a row for the Astros and they're now 81-50. Through Game 131 last season they were ... 79-52. Wait, hasn't the storyline much of the season been how the bullpen has struggled and the offense has struggled and they aren't as good as last season?