Bullpen falters again as Astros come back to beat Athletics

OAKLAND — Lou Trivino gave up a home run to Derek Fisher leading off the eighth inning Friday night as the Athletics fell to the Houston Astros 3-2 before a crowd of 14,519 at the Coliseum.

The Astros, playing without key injured starters Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Carlos Correa, trailed 2-0 going into the seventh inning courtesy of a two-run third-inning home run by the Athletics’ Matt Chapman, his 15th of the season.

Houston improved to 38-20 and increased their lead in the American League West to 8 1/2 games over the Athletics, who fell to 29-28 with their third consecutive defeat.

Roberto Osuna pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 16th save for Houston, with Hector Rondon (3-1) picking up the win in relief.

Athletics starter Mike Fiers didn’t give up a run until Josh Reddick homered (his fourth) to right with one out in the sixth inning. After retiring Robinson Chirinos on a ground out, he walked Tyler White, with manager Bob Melvin pulling Fiers in favor of Trivino.

Trivino (2-2), who was coming off a rough outing against the Los Angeles Angels in which he gave up five runs (four earned) and took the loss, served up a double to Tony Kemp that chased home pinch runner Myles Straw to tie the game 2-2.

Then in the eighth, Fisher, the designated hitter, hit the first pitch he saw over the center field fence for a 3-2 lead.

The Athletics lost an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh after Ramon Laureano doubled off reliever Hector Rondon and was sacrificed to second by Josh Phegley. Marcus Semien was next with a drawn-in infield, and his grounder was snagged by shortstop Jack Mayfield on a dive. Laureano held at third, Mayfield threw out Semien, and Robbie Grossman grounded out to end the inning.

The only runs off Astros starter Brad Peacock through six innings came courtesy of Chapman, who followed a single by Grossman with a home run to deep left estimated at 431 feet to give the Athletics a 2-0 lead.