HOUSTON, July 24 (UPI) -- The Houston Astros stole a 5-4 win over Oakland Tuesday with the help of two errors by the Athletics in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The win ended Houston's 12-game losing streak to Oakland and gave the Astros their first win in seven starts.
After stalwart A's closer Grant Balfour (0-2) coughed up a game-tying home run to Matt Dominguez, Derek Norris slid across home plate head-first on a throwing error by catcher Derrick Norris. Norris had let a Balfour pitch scoot away from him and then unloaded a bad throw to first in an attempt to pick off runner Jose Altuve. The bad throw allowed Jonathan Villar to race in from third and slide in head first with the winning run.
Balfour had converted his previous 44 save opportunities, but allowed three runs – two earned – on three hits and walk in 1/3 of an inning and was given a blown save for the first time since April 29, 2012. Brandon Moss hit a two-run homer for the A's.
Josh Fields (1-0) was credited with the win in relief.
