HOUSTON -- Stephen Piscotty's third homer in as many days staked the A's to a 1-0 lead over the Astros in the seventh inning of Monday's series opener at Minute Maid Park.
Piscotty's blast to left-center came off right-hander Brad Peacock, after the A's worked starter Gerrit Cole -- who fanned 11 batters -- for 108 pitches over six innings.
A win would put the surging A's six games back of the second American League Wild Card spot. They entered the day 1-8 against Houston this season.