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13-5 is quite a start. Factor in that Oakland's opponents this year have included Minnesota, Seattle, and Houston, and 13-5 is still quite a start.
Superficially, Jesse Chavez's 1-0 record on April 20 isn't much of a beginning. Factor in that his four starts have all lasted at least six innings, and that he has allowed exactly on earned run in each of those starts, and that his WHIP stands at 0.85, it's still quite start.
The A's led from the bottom of the 1st inning onward, thanks to a two-run Josh Donaldson home run. Donaldson's fourth big fly of the year scored Jed Lowrie after a one-out single, but was the only damage Oakland could manage against its former minor-league prospect, the 26-year-old Brad Peacock.
The Astros would cut into the lead in the 4th inning on a solo shot to right field from Marwin Gonzalez, but that was the lone hiccup from Chavez, who was otherwise stellar in his six innings, allowing four hits, three walks, and recording six strikeouts.
Oakland's slim lead was extended by a run-scoring double from Donaldson in the bottom of the 7th, bringing home Crisp. Jed Lowrie moved to third on the play, and with Alberto Callaspo at the plate, later scored on a passed ball.
Josh Reddick, resurgent in the first two games against Houston, went 1-for-4 with a double to left-center field that was a foot or so short of clearing the wall, another encouraging display of opposite-field power. His batting average now stands at a less-abysmal .204, and his season is still very much on the upswing.
Reddick will continue to get significant playing time against Texas, as Yoenis Cespedes left today's game after being bothered by the bruised right heel that has troubled him for roughly a week. Cespedes is day-to-day with the injury, but while he could be out of the lineup for a game or two, a stint on the DL doesn't seem to be an option.
The A's continue their homestand with a three-game set against Texas that begins tomorrow night at 7:05, with Dan Straily opposing Yu Darvish in the division rivals' first meeting of the year.
