OAKLAND — It was setting up as another triumphant night for the A’s rookies, which has been a theme lately.
But the Houston Astros scored once in the eighth to tie it, then got to Oakland closer Ryan Madson once again in the ninth inning to deal the A’s a 4-2 defeat Monday at the Coliseum.
The game-winning rally was capped by Marwin Gonzalez’s two-run single up the middle, which came immediately after A’s manager Bob Melvin had Evan Gattis intentionally walked with men on the corners to load the bases with no outs. Gattis had homered earlier in the game and routinely bashes A’s pitching, but Gonzalez spoiled the strategy by driving in two off Madson, who has now taken three losses in eight appearances against Houston this season, surrendering seven earned runs in seven innings pitched.