HOUSTON -- Sean Manaea continues to blossom into one of the game's best.
The A's lefty was at it again Friday, and against the defending World Series champion Astros, no less. His bid at a second straight no-hitter was squashed in the fourth inning, but not before Manaea made more history and spun seven strong innings in Oakland's 8-1 victory at Minute Maid Park.
The homer-happy A's did plenty to support him to improve to 9-2 over their last 11 games, launching three long balls against Astros starter Dallas Keuchel: Matt Chapman's one-out solo shot in the fifth marked Oakland's first hit off the lefty, and Chad Pinder and Mark Canha each hit two-run homers.