Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer for his second longball in two games, and the Houston Astros slugged past the Oakland Athletics 9-5 on Friday night.
Yuli Gurriel also connected and Michael Brantley added a run-scoring double as Houston jumped out to a big lead again — a night after the Astros won the opener 8-1 behind Zack Greinke's six shutout innings.
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Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer for his second longball in two games, and the Houston Astros slugged past the Oakland Athletics 9-5 on Friday night.
Houston's José Altuve reached base in all five of his plate appearances, with three hits and two walks. The Astros have scored 17 runs in their first two games.
Bryan Abreu (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for the win.
“I have no desire to go anywhere else,” Melvin said. “I'm perfectly happy here and my bosses have taken good care of me here. So that's where I stand on it. It's not my job to pick up an option, it's the people above me, but I'm really happy here.”
Astros: C Jason Castro will earn a start behind the plate Sunday as Martin Maldonado gets a rest day. “Maldy needs a break before we go to Anaheim,” said manager Dusty Baker, who noted Maldonado has ample experience with Saturday starter Lance McCullers Jr.
RHP McCullers pitches for the Astros on Saturday opposite LHP Cole Irvin making his A's debut after pitching the past two seasons for the Phillies.
Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano scores as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado (15) waits for the throw on a sacrifice fly hit by Mitch Moreland during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Oakland Athletics center fielder Ramon Laureano can't make the catch on a single by Houston Astros' Myles Straw during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Kyle Tucker hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh as Houston added an insurance run — and it was an important one, as Chad Pinder connected for a two-run homer in the bottom half.
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman (2) celebrates with third base coach Omar Lopez (22) as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Houston's José Altuve reached base in all five of his plate appearances, with three hits and two walks. The Astros have scored 17 runs in their first two games.
Left-hander Jesús Luzardo (0-1) struck out eight with one walk over five innings, surrendering the two homers among his eight hits and five runs.
Astros righty Cristian Javier, a five-game winner last year in his first big league season, didn't allow a hit until Mark Cahna's infield single before Ramón Laureano followed with an RBI triple to put Oakland on the board.
Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel, right, is congratulated by Carlos Correa, left, after hitting a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Bryan Abreu (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for the win.
Mitch Moreland added a sacrifice fly for his first RBI since joining the A's on a $2.25 million, one-year contract.
MELVIN FUTURE
A's manager Bob Melvin has a contract option for 2022 and, no surprise, insists he wants to stay put.
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) slides into home plate to score a run past Oakland Athletics catcher Aramis Garcia (37) on a double by Michael Brantley during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
“I have no desire to go anywhere else,” Melvin said. “I'm perfectly happy here and my bosses have taken good care of me here. So that's where I stand on it. It's not my job to pick up an option, it's the people above me, but I'm really happy here.”
This week, general manager David Forst said: “His option at this point is more a function of what he wants to do rather than what we want."
TRAINER’S ROOM
Houston Astros pitcher Brooks Raley (58) looks to the outfield as Oakland Athletics' Chad Pinder (4) runs the base after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Astros: C Jason Castro will earn a start behind the plate Sunday as Martin Maldonado gets a rest day. “Maldy needs a break before we go to Anaheim,” said manager Dusty Baker, who noted Maldonado has ample experience with Saturday starter Lance McCullers Jr.
Athletics: RHP Frankie Montas is on track to start Monday against the World Series champion Dodgers after leaving his final spring training start March 25 with a ripped cuticle on his right middle finger. He was scheduled to throw one more bullpen session Friday. “Everything's looking as a go," Melvin said. "... I looked at the nail, I'm not a doctor, but it looks good to me so I think we're a full go on him.” ... RHP Mike Fiers, on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday with a lower back strain, is likely to do his next throwing session soon at the team's Stockton alternate site.
UP NEXT
Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier (53) points to the sky as he is removed by manager Dusty Baker Jr. during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
RHP McCullers pitches for the Astros on Saturday opposite LHP Cole Irvin making his A's debut after pitching the past two seasons for the Phillies.
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Oakland Athletics' Chad Pinder hits a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Oakland Athletics' Ramon Laureano scores as Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado (15) waits for the throw on a sacrifice fly hit by Mitch Moreland during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Oakland Athletics center fielder Ramon Laureano can't make the catch on a single by Houston Astros' Myles Straw during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)
Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Oakland, Calif. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)