A's can't complete rally, fall to Houston 5-4 in 11th inning

OAKLAND - Robbie Grossman singled in two runs in the 11th inning, and the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Friday night to match their best start in eight years.

Chris Carter and Colby Rasmus drew walks off Eric O’Flaherty (0-2) to begin Houston’s rally. After Hank Conger’s sacrifice moved the runners over, Grossman lined a 3-0 pitch to left. Grossman had gone hitless in his previous four at-bats and was in a 0-for-9 funk before his clutch swing.

Jose Altuve added an RBI single, and that proved to be the difference after the A’s scored twice in the bottom half against Pat Neshek.

Luke Gregerson (1-0) got the win despite giving up two runs in the 10th. Chad Qualls retired one batter with two runners on for his second save of the season.

Marcus Semien hit a two-run homer for Oakland, which has dropped four of six.

Houston grabbed a 2-0 lead in the 10th on Marwin Gonzalez’s two-run double with two out.

Oakland tied it when pinch-hitter Josh Reddick doubled in two runs off Gregerson with two outs in the bottom half.

The late scoring was in stark contrast to the pitching duel between starters Dallas Keuchel and Scott Kazmir.

Keuchel pitched nine innings of two-hit ball. He struck out four and walked two.

Kazmir, who beat the Astros 11 days earlier, almost matched Keuchel. He gave up five hits and walked three with a season-high seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Altuve singled three times to extend his hitting streak against the A’s to 27 games. It’s the longest hitting streak by any Houston player against one team.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Josh Fields was officially activated from the disabled list, though the move had been announced earlier this week. … Because Houston won’t get another off day until May 11, manager A.J. Hinch said the team will continue to carry 13 pitchers. … OF Jake Marisnick was kept out of the starting lineup because of leg soreness he had while running from first to third against Seattle on Wednesday.

Athletics: Closer Sean Doolittle threw 15 pitches on flat ground and hopes to increase to 20 on Sunday. He is working his way back from a slight rotator cuff tear in his left shoulder. … OF Coco Crisp (elbow) took dry swings and played catch but there is still no timetable for his return. … RHP Jarrod Parker gave up three earned runs in 3? innings for Single-A Stockton on Thursday. Parker, who is on the mend from elbow surgery, will make another rehab start Tuesday.