Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics - News - April 02, 2021

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Roughed up in Oakland debut Irvin (0-1) took the loss Saturday as the A's fell 9-1 to the Astros, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.1 innings while striking out two.

Impact The southpaw rode an impressive spring to the fifth starter role in Oakland, but Irvin's regular-season debut for the A's left a lot to be desired. He threw only 55 of 82 pitches for strikes, but on the bright side he didn't give up too much hard contact as only one of the seven hits off him went for extra bases, and two of his earned runs scored after he left the game in the fifth when his replacement, Lou Trivino, was greeted by a Yordan Alvarez three-run homer. Irvin is is line for a rematch with the Astros in Houston on Thursday, but it wouldn't be too surprising if the A's elected to give one of the pitchers he beat out for a rotation spot, Daulton Jefferies or A.J. Puk, a look instead.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits in Saturday's win Diaz went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI in Saturday's 9-1 win over the A's.

Impact Seeing his first action of the season and getting the start at third base, Diaz was a key cog in the Astros' offensive explosion Saturday. The veteran utility player is looking to rebound after posting career lows in batting average (.241) and OBP (.254) in 2020, albeit in only 59 plate appearances, and Diaz could be right back in the lineup Sunday in left field if Michael Brantley (wrist) is held out after being hit by a pitch Saturday.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Blasts first homer Saturday Alvarez went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 9-1 win over the A's.

Impact With the Astros up 2-1 in the fifth inning, Alvarez smashed a Lou Trivino offering over the wall in left-center field to provide some insurance. Alvarez is quickly making up for lost time after an injury-plagued 2020 and already has one homer and six RBI through two games to begin the season.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely save Saturday Raley struck out one over 1.2 scoreless innings to record his first save of the season in Saturday's 9-1 win over the A's.

Impact The southpaw was called on to squelch a rally in the eighth inning and protect a 5-1 lead after Enoli Paredes had loaded the bases, creating a save situation for Raley as the tying run was on deck, and the Astros then tacked on four more insurance runs in the top of the ninth. It's only the second career save for the 32-year-old, who coughed up two runs Friday in one-third of an inning, but Raley could see semi-consistent high-leverage work this season with Blake Taylor being the only other left-hander in the Houston bullpen at present.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cruises to easy win Saturday McCullers (1-0) picked up the win Saturday in a 9-1 victory over the A's, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

Impact The right-hander was his typically inefficient self, needing 95 pitches (54 strikes) to record the minimum 15 outs necessary to qualify for the win, but McCullers got plenty of support from the Astros offense. He lines up for a rematch with Oakland on Thursday back in Houston.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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