Athletics Suffered 13-2 Loss Against Houston Astros
The team bullpen struggled Saturday as the club looks toward off-season changes.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Baseball
The Athletics fell to the Houston Astros in a 13-2 defeat on Saturday. The loss highlighted ongoing pitching struggles as the team looks ahead to a pending roster transition this offseason.
Why it matters
The team is currently navigating a period of performance challenges as they prepare to move on from Jeff McNeil. Fans are watching for roster shifts during the upcoming offseason.
The bullpen allowed 11 hits and seven earned runs over 4.0 innings during the 13-2 loss. The team is now looking toward off-season changes following a season of significant statistical shifts.
The players
Oakland Athletics
The professional baseball team currently based in Las Vegas.
Houston Astros
The professional baseball team that defeated the Athletics on Saturday.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer
An Athletics player who has recorded zero hits since returning from injury.
Yordan Alvarez
The Astros player who hit a 401-foot home run during the fifth inning.
Jeff McNeil
The player the team is expected to move on from this offseason.
The details
The Athletics bullpen, featuring Scott Blewett, Drew Rom, and Yunior Tur, combined for 4.0 innings of work during Saturday's game. Yordan Alvarez powered the Astros with a 401-foot home run in the fifth inning. Meanwhile, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer remains hitless since his return from injury, managing only one walk in his last seven at-bats.
Timeline
September 15, 2026: Jack Perkins began a stretch of strong pitching, maintaining a 0.71 ERA.
September 26, 2026: The Athletics lost 13-2 to the Astros.
Beyond the Strip
The organization's intent to part ways with Jeff McNeil aligns with typical MLB off-season roster adjustments. These cycles remain the primary mechanism for the team to address performance gaps identified throughout the year.
Fans watching the team's development should track roster announcements in the coming weeks. Updates on player availability and off-season transitions will provide clarity on the team's direction for next year.
The takeaway
The team continues to struggle with pitching depth as they close out the current schedule. Watch for official announcements regarding off-season roster changes to see how the team addresses these performance gaps.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's season performance, visit Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
