The game was decided in the third inning. Oakland scored three runs in that frame and never looked back, shutting out Houston 5-0 at Daikin Park to snap a three-game losing streak.
The Athletics' winning pitcher delivered 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out three and walking three. He scattered Houston's offense effectively, earning his second win of the season.
Nick Kurtz provided the decisive blow in the third inning, homering to right center to score Williams and give Oakland a 2-0 lead. Brent Rooker followed with an RBI double that scored Langeliers, extending the advantage to 3-0. Rooker added a solo homer in the fifth inning, his second RBI of the game.
Mike Burrows absorbed the loss for Houston, allowing five runs over five innings. He gave up eight hits and struck out three while walking two. With a 5.77 ERA, Burrows fell to 3-8 on the season as the Astros managed just four hits against Oakland's pitching staff.
Oakland improved to 30-34 and moved within two games of Houston in the division standings. The Astros, who had won two straight, dropped to 30-36 and remain in fourth place.