A's sweep Astros with 7-1 win on July 28! J.T. Ginn's 6 shutout innings and Brent Rooker's 3-run homer sealed the dominant series finale. Read the recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's not every day you get to celebrate a four-game sweep, especially against a division powerhouse like the Houston Astros. But that's exactly the mood in West Sacramento today after the Athletics capped off a brilliant weekend with a commanding 7-1 victory. Behind a masterful performance from J.T. Ginn on the mound and a timely power surge, the A's showed a flash of the dominance fans have been craving.
Six shutout innings, three hits, seven strikeouts. J.T. Ginn was simply untouchable against the Astros.
The story of Sunday's finale was J.T. Ginn. The right-hander was in complete control from the first pitch, carving up the Astros lineup for six spectacular shutout innings. He allowed just three hits and fanned seven, silencing Houston's bats and setting an authoritative tone for the entire game. It was the kind of ace-like performance that can energize a clubhouse and give the team immense confidence heading into a new week.
While Ginn was dealing, the offense provided more than enough support. Esteury Ruiz was a menace at the top of the order, going 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored. He was the sparkplug, constantly creating pressure. The big blow came in the fifth inning when Brent Rooker launched a three-run homer that broke the game wide open. After Rooker's blast, the bullpen duo of Michel Otañez and Anthony Maldonado took over, allowing just one run over the final three frames to lock down the sweep.
The good news from the weekend was tempered slightly by an injury update. Promising shortstop Jacob Wilson is now listed as day-to-day with a left hand contusion, an injury that will be monitored closely. On a more positive note, lefty Brady Basso is nearing a return from the 60-day IL and is set to throw live batting practice this week. His return in August would be a welcome boost for the pitching staff. These updates come amidst a flurry of recent roster moves, with Denzel Clarke and Max Muncy hitting the IL last week, paving the way for Colby Thomas and Carlos Cortes to get a shot from Triple-A.
There's no time to rest on their laurels. The A's, now 45-62, will welcome the Seattle Mariners to Sutter Health Park tonight. Offseason acquisition Luis Severino gets the start, hoping to build on the momentum from the Houston series. It's a favorable matchup on paper, as the Mariners have had their difficulties against right-handed pitching this season. For a team still finding its footing in its temporary Sacramento home, stringing together wins against division rivals is the perfect way to build excitement.
A four-game sweep of the Astros is a major high point in this transitional 2025 season. While the team's record and future in Las Vegas remain the long-term story, weekends like this provide a powerful reminder of the talent on this roster. Can the A's carry this energy into their series against the Mariners? All eyes will be on Luis Severino tonight as they look to prove this weekend wasn't a fluke, but the start of something more.
