Fri Jun 20 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

The Houston Astros dominated the Oakland Athletics in a 13-3 victory, snapping the A’s four-game winning streak. Cam Smith led the charge with two home runs and four hits. Jason Alexander, recently acquired from the A’s, pitched six shutout innings for the Astros. The Astros hit a total of five home runs with Mauricio Dubón, Christian Walker, and Cooper Hummel also contributing. The A’s struggled offensively and defensively, with starting pitcher JP Sears allowing five runs in just over three innings.

## News Article:

**Astros Crush Athletics Behind Smith’s Power Surge, Alexander’s Redemption**

**WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -** The Houston Astros exploded for a 13-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics Tuesday night, powered by a dominant offensive performance and a stellar outing from recently acquired pitcher Jason Alexander. The win halts the Athletics’ four-game winning streak and underscores the Astros’ historical dominance in the season series.

Rookie sensation Cam Smith stole the show, launching two home runs and racking up four hits in a career-defining performance. Smith, a 22-year-old with only five major league homers to his name, now boasts two multi-homer games. Mauricio Dubón, Christian Walker, and Cooper Hummel also contributed home runs to the Astros’ offensive onslaught.

The unlikely hero of the night was Jason Alexander, claimed off waivers from the Athletics just last month. He pitched six shutout innings against his former team before tiring in the seventh, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits. It was Alexander’s first MLB start since September 2022.

Oakland starter JP Sears (5-6) struggled, surrendering five runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings. The A’s offense managed to put three runs on the board in the seventh inning, but it was too little, too late. Even rookie catcher Willie MacIver was called upon to pitch a scoreless ninth for the A’s.

The Astros are set to face the A’s again Wednesday night, with Framber Valdez on the mound for Houston against Luis Severino for Oakland.

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