Athletics rally with a 3-run 8th inning to beat the Astros 4-3, snapping a 5-game skid

HOUSTON (AP) — Donovan Walton homered and Tommy White had three hits as the Athletics used a big eighth inning to rally for a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night and snap a five-game skid.

The A’s trailed 3-1 and had runners on second and third with one out in the eighth when they scored on a wild pitch by Bennett Sousa (1-2).

Lawrence Butler singled on a grounder to right field to tie it at 3-3. White doubled, and Butler scored on a groundout by Jonah Heim to put the Athletics on top.

Elvis Alvarado pitched the ninth for his third save.

Daulton Varsho's homer off Luis Medina (5-3) put the Astros ahead in the seventh and a two-out RBI single by Jeremy Peña extended the lead to 3-1.

Houston starter Hunter Brown allowed seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings.

Jacob Lopez struck out nine, allowing one run on three hits in six innings for the Athletics.

Walton opened the third inning with his shot near the bullpen in right-center to put the Athletics up 1-0.

Houston tied it on an RBI double by Yainer Diaz with two outs in the fourth.

The Athletics had runners on first and second with two outs in the sixth when Houston manager Joe Espada pointed toward right field as he ran out of the dugout. He apparently was not pointing toward the bullpen and wanted a timeout to talk to Brown and leave him in the game.

But the umpires thought otherwise and forced him to pull Brown. Espada talked with the umpires for a bit before play resumed. AJ Blubaugh took over and retired Heim.

Houston RHP Cristian Javier (1-4, 6.44 ERA) opposes LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 3.91) when the series concludes Sunday.

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Athletics pitcher Jacob Lopez delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Athletics' Donovan Walton runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Home plate umpire Will Little (93) talks with Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) over a pitching change dispute during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Athletics' Lawrence Butler runs to first base after hitting an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Athletics' Lawrence Butler (4) is congratulated by Max Muncy (3) after scoring during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

PHOENIX (AP) — JJ Bleday of the Cincinnati Reds hit for the cycle Saturday night in his first four at-bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Cincinnati left fielder doubled in the first inning, tripled in the third and singled in the fourth. He homered to right on the first pitch from Arizona’s Zack Littell in the sixth inning, giving the Reds an 8-2 lead.

It was the eighth cycle in franchise history dating to 1890. Bleday is the first Cincinnati player to hit for a cycle since Elly De La Cruz on June 23, 2023, against Atlanta.

There were three previous cycles in the majors this year — Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs, the Phillies’ Bryce Harper and the most recent one, by Tristan Peters of the White Sox on July 10.

The home run was Bleday’s 21st of the season, topping his previous career high of 20 with the Athletics in 2024.

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Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz, center right, hugs JJ Bleday, after Bleday hit for the cycle during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Cincinnati Reds' JJ Bleday, is all smiles after hitting a home run to complete hitting for the cycle during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)