Cole Irvin allowed four hits over seven innings and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Wednesday for their first sweep in 32 series this season.
Oakland, which has the worst record in the American League (38-63), won three consecutive games against Houston (64-35), which leads the Western Division of the Young Circuit.
Oakland has won six of its last eight meetings with the Astros.
Houston was swept in a series for the first time since playing Sept. 24-26, also in Oakland. Cuban Yordan Álvarez hit his 29th home run.
Stephen Vogt and Stephen Piscotty homered in the second inning off back-to-back fastballs from Cristian Javier (6-6). Tony Kemp had three hits, including an RBI double.
Javier allowed three runs and five hits in five innings.
Irvin (6-7) struck out four and walked one. He came to retire 12 rivals in a row.
AJ Puk went three-man in the ninth to reach two saves, ending a five-hit stint.
For the Astros, the Venezuelan José Altuve 4-0. Cubans Yuli Gurriel 4-2, Álvarez 2-1 with a run scored and an RBI, Aledmys Díaz 4-0. Honduran Mauricio Dubón 4-1 with a run scored.
For the Athletics, Puerto Rican Vimael Machín 4-0. The Dominican Ramón Laureano 4-0. The Venezuelan Elvis Andrus 4-0.
