HOUSTON — The tying runner at third, two outs and a the difference between a potential series tie and series win against a powerful team hung in Liam Hendriks’ right hand.
This kind of pressure is not unfamiliar to Hendriks now; right when this growing, precarious bubble seems just about ready to burst he calmly keeps it floating a bit higher. Hendriks sliced through the top of the Astros’ order, retiring George Springer and Jose Altuve before punching a 99 mph fastball in the corner to whiff Michael Brantley and seal the A’s 3-2 win on Thursday night.