Astros Lose Tight Game in Eighth Inning After Defensive Mistake The Houston Astros suffered a 4-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, marking their fourth time this season squandering a lead after the seventh inning. The game, which ended in the eighth inning, highlighted critical defensive errors and strategic decisions that ultimately cost the Astros the victory. The A’s capitalized on a late-game breakdown, scoring three runs against reliever Bennett Sousa to secure the win. The Astros entered the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead, having scored twice in the seventh inning. Manager Joe Espada opted to hand the ball to Sousa, a right-handed reliever, instead of using high-leverage lefty Steven Okert, who was unavailable. Sousa faced four batters in the eighth, three of whom contributed to the A’s comeback. The decisive run came on a ground ball hit by Jonah Heim, which was fielded by Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña. Peña initially looked toward home plate after catching the ball, but he settled for an out at first base. With Lawrence Butler racing from third base, Peña’s decision to not throw to home allowed Butler to score unchallenged. The play became a point of contention for Espada, who admitted the decision was a critical misstep. “I was actually looking at it and it would have been a bang-bang play,” Espada said. “I personally think that … it’s the eighth inning, it’s the go-ahead run and maybe be aggressive and going after it.” The A’s run was made possible by the timing of the play. Heim’s grounder had an exit velocity of 68.5 mph, giving Butler more time to reach home. However, Peña claimed he saw Butler “almost there” when he looked up toward the plate. “The play was to go home,” Peña said. “I looked up and saw he had a great jump.#houston_astros #oakland_athletics #joe_espada #jeremy_pen #jonah_heim
