Pinder’s HR caps early outburst as A’s top Astros

The A’s jumped out to a six-run lead Wednesday en route to an 8-3 victory over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Chad Pinder’s three-run homer in the fourth capped the assault against Houston righty Lance McCullers Jr., whose wild ways (5 walks, 2 HBPs) fueled the booming A’s. Oakland rang up three runs before starter Chris Bassitt, who pitched five strong innings to get the win, even took the mound, with Khris Davis’ two-run double highlighting a three-run first inning. A two-run single by Yuli Gurriel in the fourth and solo homer by Tyler White in the fifth cut the deficit to three runs, but the Astros would get no closer.