Athletics Secure Shutout
Kurtz and Rooker Home Runs Drive A's to 5-0 Shutout Against Astros
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The Athletics shut out the Houston Astros 5-0 on Sunday at Daikin Park, powered by home runs from Nick Kurtz and Brent Rooker and six-plus scoreless innings from rookie Gage Jump. The win let Oakland avoid a three-game sweep and moved the Athletics (31-34) a full game ahead of Houston (30-37) in the AL West standings, according to AP.
Kurtz snapped an 0-for-9 slump with a 389-foot, two-run homer in the third inning. Rooker followed with an RBI double, then added a 397-foot solo shot in the fifth — his 10th home run of the season. The bullpen held the lead the rest of the way to seal the shutout.
Gage Jump Silences Houston Over Six Dominant Innings
Jump, a 23-year-old rookie and the Athletics' No. 3 prospect, allowed just 3 hits and 3 walks over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out 3 and threw 94 pitches. It was his second MLB win. He has now given up only one run in his last 13 1/3 innings, according to AP.
Justin Sterner came on in the seventh with two runners on base. He stranded both. The Athletics' bullpen then closed out the final two innings without allowing a run. Manager Mark Kotsay said the team needed to "put behind us" Saturday's 11-0 blowout loss, according to NBC Sports California.
Burrows Gives Up Two More Bombs, ERA Climbs to 5.77
Astros starter Mike Burrows took the loss, falling to 3-8. He gave up 5 runs — 4 earned — on 8 hits. Burrows has now surrendered 17 home runs in just 13 starts this season, according to AP. His ERA rose to 5.77 after Sunday's game.
Astros manager Joe Espada pointed to Jump's ability to "handcuff" Houston's offense. A fourth-inning throwing error by shortstop Jeremy Peña also hurt. It let Zack Gelof score to push the lead to 4-0. The Astros managed little offense all afternoon against Jump's mix of pitches.
Kurtz Breaks Out of Slump, Enters AL MVP Conversation
Kurtz had gone hitless in his first nine at-bats of the series before connecting in the third inning. His two-run blast — hit at 104 mph exit velocity — was his 12th home run of 2026. Analysts now list him at 11-1 odds to win AL MVP, according to FOX Sports.
With Aaron Judge sidelined by a rib stress fracture, the AL MVP race has opened up. Kurtz has posted a 177 wRC+ since late April — a stat that measures how much better a hitter is than average. His hard-hit rate sits at 58.2%, among the best in the league, per FOX Sports.
Athletics' Young Core Outpaces Low-Budget Expectations
The 2026 season is the Athletics' second year playing home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. The team is waiting on a permanent stadium in Las Vegas, set to open in 2028. Injuries to veterans Aaron Civale and Luis Severino have forced the team to rely heavily on young arms like Jump, according to AP.
Pre-season projections pegged the Athletics for roughly 76 wins in 2026. Sunday's victory keeps them slightly ahead of that pace. Meanwhile, the Astros may also lose infielder Nick Allen, who left Sunday's game with left hamstring discomfort. He is expected to land on the 10-day injured list, according to AP.
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