Muncy’s solo homer caps off A’s rally as Oakland beats Houston 7-6

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:38 PM CDT Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

HOUSTON (AP) — Max Muncy hit a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning and the Athletics rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Sunday.

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HOUSTON (AP) — Max Muncy hit a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning and the Athletics rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Sunday.

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HOUSTON (AP) — Max Muncy hit a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning and the Athletics rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Sunday.

Brian Serven hit a three-run shot, his fourth, that began the six-run rally in the fifth inning. Lawrence Butler had an RBI double, and Tommy White drove in two to even the score 6-6.

Muncy then drove a fastball from Steven Okert (6-2) to center to give the A’s the lead for good.

Athletics' Max Muncy celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Jack Perkins (3-9) threw five innings of relief, striking out six while allowing three runs on three hits. He walked five, including two intentional walks of Yordan Alvarez.

Alvarez, currently in the hunt for just the second Triple Crown this century, fouled a ball off of his foot in the fourth, but remained in the game.

He passed Jeff Bagwell’s franchise record with his 28th intentional walk of the season in the eighth, and his third intentional walk of the game also tied a franchise record.

The Astros scored three in the first, one in the second, and two more in the fourth to take what seemed to be a commanding 6-0 lead. Jose Altuve hit his 14th home run in the first, a two-run shot to left-center, and Isaac Paredes drove a homer of his own to left in the fourth.

Hogan Harris locked down the ninth for his 13th save.

Astros manager Joe Espada was away from the squad Sunday due to a family emergency, per the team. Bench coach Omar López managed in his absence.

Up next

The A’s host the Twins for a three-game series starting Monday. Minnesota RHP (7-8, 5.12 ERA) starts opposite A’s LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-11, 6.02).

The Astros have Monday off before beginning a three-game series against the Yankees in The Bronx. RHP Will Warren (8-6, 4.43 ERA) goes for New York, and Houston has not named a starter.

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