MLB LIVE🔴 Houston Astros vs Oakland Athletics - Sep 12, 2024 MLB Full Game - MLB 24 EN VIVO

so just about set now our starting pitcher in this one Justin Verlander well this guy's just been filthy out there on the mound hitters batting under 200 against him and they're just having a hard time squaring up anything doing any type of damage the only way he hurts himself is if he gives up the free passes and surrenders a rare home run but outside of that it's going to be a tough job for the opposing lineup today ready to go now a chance for Lawrence Butler trying to pick up his first knock in the big leagues Altuve brings it in one down and time now to check out the A's lineup this is a good offense Chris you're going to get quality at bats and balls put in play consistently with this group and it doesn't really matter who they're facing on the mound they have the ability to go out and compete and win ball games um if it's an All-Star or sa Young Award winner to just a rookie up in the big leagues so when you have that you have a chance to win every night if I was a pitcher on this team I'd feel pretty good about taking the M for him one down base is empty and that one fouled off and a pitch that one misses and the count is one and two [Applause] sang and a high fly ball left field Alvarez heads towards it snags it for the second out this is JJ blade looking for his first big league hit right [Applause] here out to short out number three we head to the bottom of the first no score after a half inning back here in Houston on the hill here today JT gin well he's been a real quality starter for his club and coming into this one what stands out for me is that right-handed hit have really struggled batting below 200 on the year it seems that they have a hard time picking up his release point and tracking the ball into the zone so we'll see how randers do against him in this one say Altuve up to here obviously a guy who makes good contact hits for average but one of the things in today's game the value in the fact that he hits both righties and lefties [Applause] they're so riant on the matchups nowadays Chris and it's huge when you don't have to sit a guy or platona when you can hit you know both sides in terms of pitcher arms you're a guy that it's hard to take out swings and Blast One deep to left Center hangs Off the Wall now he'll turn for second and his first big leag hit is it double Jose Altuve with his first Major League hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming dude you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you worked to get here here's Jordan [Applause] Alvarez swings and pulls it foul to the right side Altuve stands at second with no outs here's a highfly ball out to Center settles under under this one hauls it in for the out and there's one away thir the now we check out the Astros lineup and one of the most exciting young stars in the sport Yer Diaz and boo we're talking about a guy who has great wheels and then puts them to good use he's the team leader in stolen bases and run score man using his speed to just get in the scoring position and then just fly ing home when the guys behind him put the ball in play I absolutely love watching him do it because he causes havoc on the Base PS Kyle Tucker the next to hit takes ball one Tucker who's been an Allstar and a gold Glover man it's second that's a ball two and [Applause] Now One Missed runner at second here one [Applause] gone there's a strike that one fouled off [Applause] kicks and fires HS and misses it's a strike out and that's the first strike out of his major league career and it could be the first of many if he meets the goals he set for himself and the expectations others have for him he doesn't want to just win games he wants to dominate at this level do you think Young pitchers could sometimes get too caught up in try to rack up KS early in their career boo I think they can it's kind of like a hit doesn't have power The Thrill is still hitting the ball over the fence and so for a guy even if he doesn't have power what a play inning over what a play to end the inning there's no way he saw that into the glove no you're absolutely right all he knew was the grounder was somewhere behind him just threw his glove out there and it stuck that was pretty cool top of the second now Shay langers this is a guy who is very highly regarded defensively fun to watch him control stuff behind the plate Good Game caller good at framing but it's that big arm that really stands out that's in there it's 0 and one yeah and because he's got the big armm he pays attention to the running game and is sure to manage [Applause] it swing and a miss struck him now one away take a look at the three pitch sequence here pretty simple in terms of putting them away at the plate once you're head 02 as a pitcher you can really expand the zone and see how aggressive that hitter is going to be trying to protect and battle and right there clearly he was in swing mode but all you can do is hope to foul that off so here's Brown at the plate that one's in there that's strike one you have a catcher that can throw like that a pitcher doesn't have to worry as much about the slid step he can keep his mechanics intact and have a better opportunity of getting that hit her out with a swing and miss one down BCE is empty swing and a miss he was late strike [Applause] two in the air left side into the and he got it well two goals when you got the go ahead right at the plate keep him in the ballar and then second keep him off base well that diving stop right there does just that excellent job two outs base is empty here's the second baseman Zack gell and a good eye there fell off to a great start he's really cruising out there on the mound he's got a chance to get through these first two innings with under 20 pitches That Could set him up to go deep into this game and the pitch ball that's [Applause] inside in for a strike and it's two and one now one way to make a guy real uncomfortable the plate is pound him inside with good velocity they're doing that right here swinging a foul over the screen and back out of play two down down nobody on and a swing to miss down on strikes and a nice inning of work there as he sets him down one two three nothing across here this half we go to the bottom of inning number two we're tied nothing nothing back here at M Park bottom of the inning at the plate is the Astros catcher Yer Diaz back to work light drive hooks it away for the out that swing right there tells me he's seeing the ball pretty well I know it didn't produce a hit but he made Solid contact and that's all you're looking to do anytime you're at the plate at the play Jeremy Peña Peña one of the rare players from rhod Island to be drafted by a major league team boo his high school coach who's been around the game nearly 40 years calls Peña the best Fielder he's ever seen right-hander kicks deals edge of the zone for a strike and it's nothing in two Carl Dixon working the plate in this one you know we often hear him talk about umpires being a pitcher umpire but boo Dixon maybe a little bit more hitter friendly than most he's kind of tight on the corners so we'll see if that comes into play at all in this one one out base is empty and that's off the Inside Edge and a count one and two swing and a miss for the strike out couldn't catch up to the heater and Chris that's a way to neutralize his speed by keeping him off base and the defense breathes a s relief because he puts pressure on everyone if he can put the ball in play but that's how you do it keep him off balance get him out of there and deal with the next Sky he swings and fouls one off next pitch is [Applause] outside comes up empty that strike two I think he was sitting off speed there the line in the pitch and a pop up right side foul territory gray pulls it down and he makes the catch and that'll do it nothing doing there for Houston we'll move to the third with no score on to the third inning now it's the rookie first baseman Tristan gray and a pitch Verlander to tall righty he features the forseen fast ball a slider a curve and he works in a change up next off bring is in for a strike and that just misses it's a good [Music] take ha why to kick the pitch gets a piece and stays alive [Applause] righty delivers stays [Applause] alive one two now and another ball two ball two stri [Applause] swing and a miss and he got him he didn't make it easy for him on the mound but they still get the strike out well when you commit to throwing an inside fast to your glove side across the strike zone especially with two strikes if you're going to miss you want to miss off the plate in you do not want to leave it out over the heart of the plate so that was excellent execution on that pitch really tied him up and he couldn't get a piece at all top of the third no score on the ground right side tosses to First and that quickly two [Applause] away Jacob Wilson up next for the [Applause] A's that's a strike across the top of the Zone if I'm at the dish right now I am aggressive over the heart of the pl this guy's been filling up the strike zone so you know you're going to get a good pitch to hit and as nasty as his stuff is you might as well take all three [Applause] swings going to count one and two pretty standard High 02 fast right there if you're smart look for something down in the zone but not too far they want to chase that breaking ball in the dirt next pitch misses two and two two outs that just misses and it's three and two well I think he's trying to get a feel for where that one missed I mean it could have gone either way but he looked a little shocked for a second there [Applause] swing and a miss and he struck him out and it's a three up three down inning A's go quickly and quietly there and we are still scoreless and welcome back to the ballark as we go to the last of the third stepping in for the Astros Ben gaml again back to work pass ball for a strike and it's O and [Applause] one swing and a miss and that strike two and here it comes and downstairs too close for me partner to take that 02 fast but for whatever reasons he Let It Go by he's still in the atat I don't think he'll let the next one go wouldn't chase that [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] time gamble checks his swing appeal to Third and that's ruled the swing it's a strike out really love the pitch sequence right there I'm telling you what pitcher and catcher on the same page right there CH M up next for the Astros this one popped up fouled ground first Bas side gray makes the grab and a couple of quick outs boy that was a hanging breaking ball right there I think he tried to do a little bit too much sometimes those eyes can get really big I think his swing broke down as well and that's what caused him to pop it [Applause] up now tuve in the box with two gone and takes a look at a called strike two out space is empty to the right side gell fires over to First and the Astros put down in order Astros are down quietly still no score and we're back and now Lawrence but and there's one thing on his mind this at bat get that first hit at the big league level top of the zone and it's called a strike over 80% of his first pitches are strikes you're doing that can have a really good day out there in the M that's off the mark and one and [Applause] one and the pitch bounce to kartini he steps on the bag that's the first out in the top of the four fast cre right down the middle usually a lot of damage done with that pitch a hard grounder but he wanted to get that ball in the air maybe drive it into the Gap now it's going to be Brent Rooker he's over for one he's a guy who does it all with the lack of contact in today's game this guy hits for contact so he delivers average but there's on baseed slug too count early in the count you have to be real careful because of that power but then if this hitter gets a strike or two on him he's still very comfortable and because he has the ability to get the barrel to the baseball he's a threat deep into the count as well the Athletics hitless so far in the game they tried to get him to chase on a slider down it away next offering popped in the air right field gamble has a beat on it squeezes it out number [Applause] two3 here's the center fielder JJ BL 0 for one he grounded out in his first it back and a foul ball two down dolanan and ball one fourth in underway no score and the right-hander deal bouns it off still one and two that one 95 to finish him off and the a are gone in order and we're still noted at zero ready to go now at the pl yon Alvarez y [Music] Alvarez and he deals and there's well these Astros as this game goes on have to be more disciplined at the play they're chasing a lot of pitches outside the zone and those chases that are turning into a bunch of outs can they turn that around and stay within the Zone we'll see but I think they have to [Applause] fights that one away still one and [Applause] [Music] two and that's outside this guy's a fun guy to watch taking it bat he just battles up there he doesn't take a pitch off at all makes it so difficult on the pitchers out there you can tell they get frustrated with how long it takes to put them away that's inside he should get a pretty good pitch to hit here with three hole hitter coming up if he's [Music] W 32 now good job to fight that one off 32 spoils the two- strike pitch and he'll see another he's having a tough time getting a pitch by him as a hitter you feel pretty confident that you're seeing different pitches still able to make some type of [Applause] contact bounce to the right side tosses to first he didn't make things easy for him there but they still get the out [Applause] Kyle Tucker here's Kyle Tucker went down on strikes his first time through so now here's Kyle Tucker Tucker former fifth overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Astros this guy's turned into a whale of a player and that should be extra bases makes the turn and heads for second and that's a double Kyle Tucker with his first first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you've worked to get here andit second with one away Alex bregman up next for the [Applause] Astros hit in the air center field leay gets under it makes the grab two now up next the so next up for Houston Yer Diaz [Applause] [Applause] and that's in there at the knees for a [Applause] strike sliced hard but foul one just misses now one and two man oh man I don't know how you'd take that pitch that's as close as it gets that one not close it's two and [Applause] [Music] [Applause] two man on second two down just missed Jeremy Peno Waits on [Applause] De and it's second that ball is foul and the pressure is building kicks andial by drive that could base H Runner around third here comes the throw sa so he gets two Milestones with that hit his first big leak knock and he drives in his first run as well yeah you love to get both of those out of the way with just one swing of the bat and it makes the special moment even more special it's not just an individual accomplishment when you're also driving in a run for your team that's an it bad he's never going to [Applause] forget and next to hit for Houston Jeremy Peña struck out swinging his first time and that's a little bit High strike [Applause] one one run across in the frame so far we're here in the bottom of the fourth on the ground and it stays Fair in holds the lead runner at second two on now with two away Jeremy Peña with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you work to get here so first and second with two outs Vic kartini at the plate over for one so far that's off the mark and that's ball one two on two outs way high could be some action here on this next pitch couple Runners on probably a challenge pitch coming REO in the dirt but kept close to third tag got it they limit the damage here but they pick up one run on the RBI single it's now one nothing you're dialed into the show back here in Houston top five John Shamy with Chris Singleton and leading it off Jay langers the pitch on the ground to the left that's [Applause] here Shay langers with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate appreciate what you've done and how hard you work to get here Seth Brown getting ready to [Applause] hit fouled off he was [Applause] late langers gets his lead at first with nobody out [Applause] com up empty the two strikes may see some movement over there first base trying to stay at the Double Play right here that one to First sneaks through face H throw back in quickly first and second now with nobody out Seth Brown with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you worked to get here first and second no outs now it's the second baseman Zack gell swing and a miss o and one oh and one [Music] [Applause] swings through that one for strike two no ball two strike gets a piece and it stays 0 and two got away with a mistake right [Applause] there next offering [Applause] upstairs the pitch foul ball still a one and two count no outs Runners at first and second [Applause] the pitch now a highfly ball out to left Center Alvarez in position and out number one on the grab yeah that was a wasted RBI opportunity but competitor like him he is looking forward to making up for it in his next advat two on one out striding to the plate now for Oakland Tristan gray his first in Bat was a strike out missed at the dish looking to look the ball in the air in this spot anything but the inning ending double play [Applause] boo tying run and scoring position and we're in the top of the fif now this one gets away from the catcher to second but way too late safe there two on and one out you're just hoping you can get a double play ball to get yourself out of the inning but now you've really got some work to do need a big strike out here two on one out pitch misses inside three balls in a strike oh they have had a hard time scoring in this one the pitcher out there on the mound wants to keep attacking make sure that they they don't get any confidence at the belt and fires Fly ball down the line Alvarez in position drops into the glob R Ts for home the throws off wide he's saved it's one one there you go nice little RBI there it's a grad bat got the job done here's the third baseman grounded out his first time he's someone that you might not describe as having Elite level speed but he can absolutely move and it is a factor in his game that one hit to right can't get to it and it eats him up throws to Second the tag and he's out but a run does score on the aard but two runs for them and they jump ahead home half of the fifth coming up it's the A's two and the Astros [Applause] one we head to the bottom of the the fifth and stepping in for the Astros Victor kartini inside gets out of the way one and the [Music] one there's the [Applause] strike led him to right he's got it and there's one [Applause] down now B right here's Ben gam G the offense needs to start showing some fight against this starter he's doing his thing out there they're going to have to push back at some point and make him work a little bit [Applause] harder that's a base hit so a man aboard now with one [Applause] Ben G with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming D you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you've worked to get here Runner on at first with one gone so next up for Houston Chaz mccor and that one fouled [Applause] off the Astros down by a run last half of inning number five and it's even up to the left side but it is well [Applause] fouled righty to the plate HS and misses it's a strike out he's locked in at the plate when he's using the whole field he was up front there just needs to let the ball travel a little more and his timing will be back on track pitch for the strike out so the Houston lineup turns over here's the former MVP Jose Altuve one for [Applause] two and the first pitch misses for ball [Music] one two outs and that's too [Applause] high a dive he's got it fires to first they get the out and that'll do it this guy's anticipation is off the charts don't see any Short Stops better than that great job to complete the play and end the inning top six digging in for Oakland Jacob Wilson berlander back to work hard hit left side fires across the diamond and a quick out number one he's been going after these guys consistently and as a result he's been able to keep his pitch count low throwing the ball very well right now next up for the A's Lawrence Butler Butler 23 years old and he was a sixth round draft pick back in 2018 next offering is in for a strike it really looks like these hitters have been in between with their timing today good fastball excellent slider but they've not been able to commit to one velocity and stay there swings and misses on the fast up in the zone for the strike out thought it was a pretty good pitch top of the strike zone we're seeing more fast balls in that location hitters especially with two strikes have to be ready to pull the [Applause] trigger Rooker in the box now no balls in a strike little early on that fast ball I'm sure the pitcher taking a note look for an off speed pitch on this next one just misses the mark outside the Zone the pitch bouns it off still one and two A's leading by a run and we're in the top half of the six this to Third and that one finds its way through around first heading for two the throw to second is [Applause] offline Brent Rooker with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you can take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you worked to get here so two down and now the center fielder JJ Bay swing in a miss nice change up one the [Applause] count swings through that one out in front that time double barreled action in the bullpen Hunter Brown up and loosening in the pen Presley getting cranked up as well [Applause] [Music] he Dives but he can't make the cat see fantastic effort but that extends the inning JJ BL with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does it kind of be overwhelming you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you can take to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you work to get here first and third two away here's the Speedy catcher Shay langers Bing ball here rolls foul so critical to keep an eye on the pitch count this time of the year guys can start to run on fumes a little bit mechanics can drop off and we know they need him to be fresh and ready for big innings in October two on two outs little Chopper rolls [Applause] foul down to the dir wi in the mill Diaz gathers here's the first and they get out of the jam well done to finish off the strike out at in the inning so they strand a pair 234 do up in the home half of the six it's the a two and the Astros won back here in Houston now it's yordon Alvarez if you don't get ahead in the count you can forget about having any success against him and the right hter back to wor and that's downstairs and [Applause] outside the one and another ball meanwhile activity in the bullpen Scott Alexander the veteran Southpaw is getting ready to come on if needed number 38 getting loose as [Applause] well and that one is in for a [Applause] strike ground ball right side he takes it on his own lead off man retired in the six the B the deated stepping in the long ball threat Kyle Tucker just missed [Applause] just missed two count great hitter at the dish if you're going to miss you got to miss outside the zone you miss inside the strike zone you'll be asking the Umpire for a new baseball the wi of the pitch fought off foul home team down a run here in the bottom of the [Applause] six good eye right there a rare three ball count here he's been throwing strikes all day got to be ready to hit if you're in the [Music] box next offering finds the zone and the count is four and Kyle Tucker will take his face oh he earned his trip to first right there it's not easy laying off pitches that just miss the Zone like that and it's a real discipline as well he's put a lot of work into that aspect of his game and it paid off right [Applause] there Brean in the box with one away as he takes ball one that one called just inside I think and on the mound trying to get a little bit of an explanation doesn't seem to be too bothered by it though but he clearly thought it clicked the corner the pitch laser could be extra bases lead Runner touches second headed for third here's the throw lead Runner holds it third so two runners in scored position and just one out Alex bregman with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you can take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you worked to get here so two in scoring position with one out Yer Diaz up next for the Astros golden opportunity right here ball one a help one [Applause] and0 Tucker at third bregman over at second with one down swinging a ground ball the middle that's a face hit one runs in the throw in not in safe it's 32 now there you go the RBI machine another clutch run scoring it back yeah he's been so good in these situations call it clutch if you want but his resume speaks for itself manager out of the dug out now and it looks like we'll see a change on the mound JT gin will depart and as he heads off we'll step aside for a minute back with a new pitcher after this break so out of the PT comes the right-hander Joey EST on for his major league debut so we'll see if he's ready for the big stage he just has to remember this is the same game that he's played all the way through the minor leagues to this point the only difference they're just more people in the stands and it's a bigger Stadium but the game itself is still the same look at the catcher whatever fingers he puts down that's what you throw and just let him Lead You In This one and now it's going to be Jeremy Peña [Applause] lifted in the air right center field drifts towards it he makes the grab and there's two [Applause] down number 17 Victor G Victor cartini the next to [Applause] hit and first off ring is fouled off Estus checks the runner and he's back safely [Music] good eye on that spot oh he's really working him away this bat sometimes take a little bit off velocity try to get a roll over something on the ground stay away from that big hole on the right side of the [Applause] infield the one- one is fouled off two outs swing and a miss had him out front for the strike out so it's two runs on two hits no errors and a runner left seventh inning coming up it's the Astros three and the A's [Applause] two top of inning number seven at the batter set Brown as he turns on the rubber give it that good live arm well after putting up a nice Inning on offense got some runs across this is where you look for the starter to go out there have a shut down inning don't give that other team any hope you just hope that he can get through this inning get the bats back up there while they're [Applause] hot that hits the dirt and that's ball three I almost feel like he's frustrated a little bit he wants to be challenged and in there and the count is three and [Applause] one looking to get the tying run on base that one misses so a lead off walk well he starting to look a little Gass to me and we'll see if they go to the in this spot or Not Here Comes the skipper and we're going to see a pitching change in this spot Verlander done in this one and a nice effort out of him no doubt new Arm coming on we'll be back for that in a moment Taylor Scott into the game on for his major league debut and a moment he will never forget better believe that it's always so special the first time you get into a big league ball game I did it as a position player but for him as a pitcher sure there's some nerves there probably don't want to squeeze the baseball too tight just relax and do what you're capable of doing [Applause] foul back ourway and that's out of play trying to hold a one-run lead here at the top half of inning number [Applause] seven that one F hard the other way next offering is down low well with the amount of pitches that can end up in the dirt a good secondary lead doesn't have to get away from the catcher but if you're anticipating based off the trajectory get yourself in the scoring position and another ball would a lay off that pitch down swings and misses struck him out very frustrating right there as a Speedy potential base runner when two strikes you just struggle to the play you don't even have to get a hit at that point you can help your team just by reaching on an error but some way got to find a way to shorten up the swing and put the ball in play next time striding to the plate now for Oakland Tristan gray and the pitch is in for a strike it's 0 and one [Applause] kicks and fires I got a ball one [Music] St maybe a two ball five four that's out three and the inning is over well we can never overstate it pitcher's best friend right there double play gets out of the jam saves some [Applause] pitches bottom of the seven stepping in for the Astros Ben G Ben G here comes a pitch that one off the mark one and0 well these Astros digging into their numbers have to be happy with the swings they're taking a handful of now this ball is well hit this one's got a chance and it's off the out of town scoreboard safe at second with a leadoff double couldn't have timed it up any better than that anytime you smoke a ball off the wall you kind of think about what it could have been but obviously you have to be happy with that result so man aboard and next to hit for Houston Chaz MCC Corman that's hard hit in the line Le makes the grab grounder tags it second and he's in safely a third with one out now second BAS here's the second basement Jose Altuve one for three don't be surprised to ball on the ground to the corners that they come home with the baseball instead of going to first base Off the Mark there one ball one [Applause] [Music] strike in the air right field on the run towards the line grabs it on the run runner tagging from third the throw is on line and he's in the score and they take a two-run lead they had a chance to add to their lead right there and they did with the sack fly nice job of getting it done really good execution with that so next up for Houston you're Don Alvarez just he didn't want to give up that r but he did got the Fly ball sack fly out now it's time to attack these other guys get your team back in the Dugout next pitch misses inside and that's ball two two down base is empty but one run across here the bottom of the seven and a two- on hammered but foul knocks that one away and we'll do it [Applause] again sharp Dr there that's through from base H and that keeps the inning going now yon Alvarez with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you work to get here next is the designated hitter Kyle [Applause] Tucker fast ball for a strike [Applause] Alvarez the runner at first with two [Applause] gone right side and that chance handled the throw to first and that will end the inning they get a run on two hits no errors and a man left eighth inning coming up it's the Astros four and the A's two welcome back and a new arm of the mound to start the eth Hector nerys and this is the best way to make your major league debut no one on base you're already going to be a little nervous out there so I think it's a nice job by the skipper to get him in here without any added pressure with traffic on the bases and the pitch number 12 up for the third time here watching is that one miss activity in the bullpen for Houston Josh haer the left-handed reliever appears to be getting loose Hernandez warming up as [Applause] well that one finds the corner and that strike one and [Applause] one and another ball he got two ball one right next off bring his in for a strike and a foul ball he stays alive and a pitch swing and a miss struck him out first strike out for him in this one that splitter is may be the go-to pitch when he's looking for a swing and Miss like that he throws it quite a bit and that's a good example of the effect it can have on a [Music] hitter digging in for Oakland Jacob Wilson [Applause] right through there for a [Applause] strike and that's in for a strike the stros holding on to a two-run lead and we're in the top of the eight pitch misses there and the count one and [Music] two just off the Inside Edge in the air right field gamble pulls it in on the [Applause] run the B number so the Oakland lineup turns over now the A's designated hitter Lawrence [Applause] Butler late with the swing there oh and one [Applause] outside low and it's one and [Applause] one wouldn't chase that time two balls one strike pitch misses and now three and one Brent Rooker hoping for a chance he would represent the tying run yeah boo plenty of power in that bat they'd love to give him a shot [Applause] here two down nobody on and a swinging a Miss there Full Count three and two battling here as he fouls it away two outs bows that off to the left and will do it [Music] [Applause] again that one ripped right center field and it's a one hopper Off the Wall should be extra bases safely into second he's got a double Lawrence bu with his first major league hit and this is the moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming dud you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you can take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you worked to get here and in scoring position with two away next up for the A's Brent Rooker breaking ball in there for a [Applause] strike tying run at the plate and that one a little below the knees and the count even one and one well he knows they don't want to give him anything to hit but when you got opportunities to drive in runs you've got to expand the Zone he's capable of going out there and doing damage with it looking very settled on the mound here in the eighth one more out they'll probably hand it off to their closer for the ninth with at least a two-run lead the tying run at the plate that's down and in got him looking that ends the frame one left for Oakland still down by a count of four to2 ready for the bottom of the eight here's Alex bre the third Bas Alex bre and the pitch and that's outside ball one this one in the air as this one sized up makes the catch for the out and there's one down up next to the catcher gay next to hit gayer [Applause] Diaz that's in [Applause] there that's outside and that's ball one Bas is empty one away here the bottom half of the eighth inning pitch misses two and [Applause] [Music] one that one missing inside first pitch strike from the pitcher but then no Panic at all by The Hitter very patient showing good discipline now he's in the driver seat with a 3-1 count and there's a foul ball really great change of speeds he goes off the off speed to the fast ball and the hitter doesn't know what's coming next good play appearance there able to take the walk the number three and now the short stop Jeremy paa feels like it's less common today that you see a guy like this the speed component the contact component but lack of power first pitch misses he just has to understand that his skill set is unique and he's very valuable for any ball Club if he does that he'll play a long time in this league next off offering is in for a [Applause] strike righty delivers runner on the goal in the air to left down the line makes the grab [Applause] so two down now and here is Victor kartini [Applause] viori that misses the zone and it's w too Diaz leads off first with two down to the inning ground ball right side and it finds its way through for AE throw stops the lead runner at second two on and two out Victor kartini with his first major league hit and this is a moment I'm sure he'll never forget congrats yeah great moment for him and his family a guy works so hard and has to wait so long for this to happen and when it does can kind of be overwhelming boo you still have to stay locked in on the game but it's great when you could take a minute to just appreciate what you've done and how hard you worked to get here first and second two down Ben gaml up next for the Astros in for a strike going and [Applause] one just missed the Athletics abs some Bullpen action Scott Alexander the Lefty looks to be getting himself ready two outs couple of base runners at first and second swings through that one man I'm pretty impressed out there on the mound right now I mean these are tough spots where pitchers really got to Bear out those last two pitches were well executed and another ball two ball two St [Applause] the two- two just a slow ground ball this time gell slings to First and that is the inning two left for the Astros but they still lead this one 4-2 [Applause] welcome back and here comes the closer Josh ha a chance at his first save of the year striding to the plate now for Oakland JJ BL [Applause] [Music] Andy de in for a strike and it's O and one p goes 6' 3 in 190 lb he joined the team as a free agent here comes the 0an right through there for a strike two pretty nasty sliders to get this hitter in an 02 count you're up there at the plate you got to look up in the zone and spit on anything that's down [Music] and now the Lefty popped up under it one away and next will be the cleanup hitter Shay langers [Applause] and that drops in for a strike the A's down by a pair here at the top of the night [Music] one down base is empty foul ball it stays nothing and two and here it comes foul ball still o and [Music] two three thr it and that's a strike out oh really went aggressive in with that slider good two strike pitch right there at worst case scenario it's weak contact in play exactly where he and the catcher wanted the Athletics down to their last out Seth Brown up next for the A's swinging a foul straight back [Applause] [Applause] the Athletics down to their final strike swing and a miss and he chases that one in the dirt in time ball game and the strike out ends it Verlander with his first major league win yeah nicely done I'm sure he'll feel very good about that and get the ball for his trophy case as he should a start he won't ever forget and your final 42 for Chris Singleton and our entire outstanding crew here at MLB the Show I'm John sh thanks for joining us [Applause]