Houston • Frankie Montas had a tough time in the first inning of his last two starts, giving up seven hits and five runs combined.
“You go up against Springer, Bregman and Altuve and go 1-2-3, I bet you that gives you some confidence,” Piscotty said of Montas. “They’re a great offense. It was a pitcher’s duel the whole time, but he just went out there every inning and attacked.”
Houston starter Gerrit Cole struck out 11 and scattered three singles across six scoreless innings before Brad Peacock (1-4) took over for the seventh. Piscotty, who finished with three of Oakland’s six hits, greeted him with his home run to left field to make it 1-0.