OAKLAND -- After a stellar outing in his season debut last week, A's right-hander Paul Blackburn was pummeled in his second start of the year on Wednesday night.
Tasked with taming a menacing Astros lineup, Blackburn had no such luck, recording just four outs and allowing eight runs in a disastrous 47-pitch display that left the A's in a deep hole. They subsequently spoiled a two-homer night from Khris Davis, while Stephen Piscotty also homered in a 13-5 loss at the Oakland Coliseum.
It was the A's seventh straight loss against the defending World Series-champion Astros, who have outscored them, 62-17, in that span.