Hogan Harris enjoys best start of season as A's blank Astros

OAKLAND — Nick Kurtz, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft who officially signed with the A’s on Monday, may only see one game at the Oakland Coliseum in his life. If that’s the case, green and gold provided their potential franchise cornerstone with a good time at the yard.

Hogan Harris allowed no runs across a season-high 6 2/3 innings and matched his season-high of seven strikeouts as the A’s beat the Astros, 4-0, on Monday evening at the Oakland Coliseum.

Harris cruised for most of the evening, but the Astros threatened in the top of the sixth inning by loaded the bases with one out on a trio of singles. Oakland’s bullpen, which had been dormant up to that point, began to scurry. One swing had the potential to change the game’s complexion and end Harris’ night, but Harris left all three runners stranded by inducing an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.

The left-hander had a chance to complete seven innings, but he was pulled with two outs in the frame after walking Chas McCormick, the Astros’ No. 9 hitter, receiving a standing ovation as he walked back to the third-base dugout. Right-hander Austin Adams allowed a single to Jose Altuve, but struck out Alex Bregman swinging to keep Houston scoreless.

From there, Oakland’s backend combination of Lucas Erceg and Mason Miller shut the door. Erceg, a day removed from failing to retire any of the four batters he faced, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Miller, appearing in his first regular-season game since dazzling in the All-Star Game, tossed a clean ninth.

Miguel Andujar, a possible trade candidate ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, drove in two runs with a double in the bottom of the third. JJ Bleday and Max Schuemann each recorded an RBI as well.