WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Astros were hoping a day off, a switch of scenery, a new time zone, a different opponent -- anything -- would help them shake off last weekend’s sweep at the hands of the Mariners in Houston and change their fortunes entering a crucial final six games on the schedule.

The A’s probably weren’t the best team to ask to play the role of patsy considering they had won their previous five games against the Astros earlier this season and have proven to be a difficult matchup. The A’s ran that streak to six in a row Tuesday night by handing the Astros a 5-1 loss at Sutter Health Park that dealt a crippling blow to Houston’s playoff chances.

“This is the sprint to the end, man,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “This is what it takes. Every team is fatigued, no one is 100

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