OAKLAND, Calif. -- Consecutive losses to the Oakland Athletics have muted whatever momentum the AL-leading Astros built with their seven-game winning streak this week.
This one was a little more concerning to manager A.J. Hinch for a variety of reasons.
Houston's bullpen forced in five runs with bases-loaded walks and the team tied a franchise record with 13 free passes, costing the Astros in their second straight loss to the A's, 11-1 in a doubleheader opener Saturday.
"It wasn't a good game for us," Hinch said. "Certainly, it probably looks a lot worse than it was for most of the game.