OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Houston Astros took an aggressive approach against Jesse Hahn's sinker and came out swinging early in the count.
Like so many other things for the Astros early this season, it didn't work out as planned.
Hahn pitched into the seventh inning in his return to the majors and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter as the Oakland Athletics held off Houston 2-0 on Saturday.
"He had nasty stuff and pounded the zone," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "He likes to get ahead with his fastball, and the risk and reward with that is he got some quick outs and kept the ball on the ground, got a couple of double plays. We never solved his sinking fastball."
The Astros (7-17) failed to generate much offense while getting shut out for the first time this season. They have lost nine of 11 overall.
Houston had only three baserunners through the first six innings and two were erased on double plays. The Astros loaded the bases with one out in the ninth before Ryan Madson got Evan Gattis to ground into a game-ending double play.
"We came close again," leadoff hitter Jose Altuve said after going 0 for 3. "We were one or two hits away. I still believe in my team. We'll be all right."
Billy Burns drove in the only runs with a two-out single in the second to help the A's (13-12) move back above .500.
Hahn (1-0) was called up from Triple-A Nashville before the game and pitched as well as he did for most of 2015 before missing the final three months with a right forearm strain that also delayed his debut in spring training this year.
The right-hander faced the minimum through five innings. He gave up three hits and allowed only one runner past first base to win for the first time since July 1.
Chris Devenski, who began the season in Houston's bullpen, permitted two runs over five innings in his first major league start. Devenski (0-1) struck out four and walked three.
"I was behind a lot," Devenski said. "They jumped on some pitches, put together some hits. My command wasn't there and I had to bear down to get out of it."
NEW PLAN FOR GILES
Hinch plans to change how he uses RHP Ken Giles. The reliever has pitched almost exclusively in the eighth-inning setup role, but the Astros want to shake things up for Giles, who has a 9.00 ERA in 11 appearances. "I met with Ken and told him I am easing the burden of the eighth inning off him," Hinch said. "I just gave him a heads up he may not get the eighth to give him a physical, mental break. It's not an announcement as much as if it comes to the eighth and don't see Giles out there, you'll know."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: CF Carlos Gomez is expected to miss the next few days due to sore ribs. Gomez was hurt diving for a fly ball Friday. ... Rehabbing RHP Lance McCullers is scheduled to pitch four innings in extended spring training on Monday.
Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt is facing possible Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow. . 3B Danny Valencia will play three rehab games before rejoining the team in time for its May 6 game at Baltimore when he's eligible to come off the disabled list. ... RHP Andrew Triggs was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Doug Fister (1-3) has lost three straight starts heading into Sunday's series finale. Fister issued a career-high seven walks in his most recent outing.
Athletics: LHP Rich Hill (3-2) is fourth in the AL with 37 strikeouts.
