Gray Outpitches Buddy Kazmir; A's Beat Astros 4-0
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Sonny Gray has learned plenty by watching Scott Kazmir pitch, and on Tuesday night the Athletics All-Star got to oppose his close pal.
Gray outdueled his mentor, and the A's spoiled the former Oakland lefty's return to the Coliseum mound with a 4-0 win against Kazmir and the AL West-leading Houston Astros.
"I had a rough outing my last time so it was important to get back on the mound and put zeros up, give us a chance to win," Gray said. "I used my curveball a lot more to keep them off balance more. I slowed myself down and relaxed, took a couple of deep breaths."
Mark Canha hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning to back Gray (13-7). Billy Burns had a solo shot earlier after fouling off 10 pitches in two at-bats.
Gray ended a four-start winless stretch and got the best of Kazmir, traded by the A's to his hometown Astros on July 23.
Kazmir had been back to the Bay Area with Houston but didn't pitch against his old team during that trip in early August. He faced A's for the first time since Aug. 18, 2013, with the Indians.
"He was such an influential guy in the clubhouse here and I was close to him," Burns said. "It was weird to look at him on the other team. At the same time, it was fun."
Gray allowed five hits, struck out four and walked two in seven innings. The right-hander stopped a three-game losing streak with his first victory since beating Houston on Aug. 7.
Ryan Dull pitched the final two innings.
Kazmir (7-10) lost his second consecutive decision. He was tagged for four runs and seven hits in six innings.
"The one to Canha is something I look back and kind of just shake my head," Kazmir said. "That's a huge hit right there. We're trying to battle our way back and end up giving up a 3-spot in the fifth inning that's tough to come back from, especially with a guy like Sonny on the mound."
Gray got through a 1-2-3 first on 11 pitches. Kazmir allowed two singles in the bottom half but escaped unscathed on a night when the game-time temperature of 87 degrees was the warmest at the Coliseum all season.
Houston left the bases loaded in the second after Carlos Gomez's leadoff double and a pair of one-out walks. Hank Conger struck out and Jake Marisnick fouled out.
The A's are doing their part to affect the playoff race after holding off the Astros 10-9 on Monday afternoon.
Jed Lowrie was back in Houston's starting lineup after resting for most of Monday, but went 0 for 4 with his first hitless game in the last eight. He batted .478 (11 for 23) with three home runs, four doubles and seven RBIs during that stretch.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics C Stephen Vogt had a second ultrasound on his injured groin area after taking a hard foul tip Sunday, and the latest test showed he won't need any procedure. He was home resting for the second straight day, expected to return to the ballpark Wednesday night. It's unclear when or if he will play again this year. ... OF Sam Fuld, who last played on Aug. 30 but hasn't batted since Aug. 25 as he deals with back spasms, could get into the game Wednesday in a defensive role or to pinch run but perhaps isn't quite ready to hit until the weekend. ... The A's recalled OF Craig Gentry and INF Max Muncy from Triple-A Nashville.
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Collin McHugh (15-7) looks to win his third straight start when he pitches the series finale.
Athletics: RHP Aaron Brooks (1-2) tries for his first victory in three starts since being recalled Aug. 29.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
