The Sacramento Athletics pulled off one of the more stunning comebacks of the 2026 regular season, erasing a six-run deficit to beat the Houston Astros 7-6 on Sunday, August 23, at Minute Maid Park. Brian Serven went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI, Max Muncy added a solo shot, and Jack Perkins gutted out five innings to earn the win as the A's knocked off a division rival in a nine-inning thriller that came down to the final out.

Athletics Offense Digs Out of Six-Run Hole Against Houston

This one looked cooked early. Brady Basso lasted just one inning, surrendering four hits and three earned runs before Sacramento's bullpen was forced into action in the first inning. The Astros piled on from there, with Jose Altuve going deep for a three-RBI blast and Isaac Paredes adding his own three-RBI home run to build a commanding cushion. At their worst point, the A's were staring down a six-run deficit.

But Sacramento refused to fold. Henry Bolte led the offensive charge, going 3-for-5 and giving the A's consistent on-base presence throughout the lineup. Muncy's home run got Sacramento on the board in a meaningful way, and Serven delivered the biggest blow of the night — a homer that drove in three and swung the momentum decisively toward the visiting dugout.

Jack Perkins Steadies the Athletics After Shaky Start

After Basso's rough first inning, the A's needed someone to stop the bleeding and keep the game within reach. Jack Perkins did exactly that. The right-hander worked five innings, striking out six while allowing just three hits and one earned run. He walked five, which kept some danger on the fringes, but he stranded enough runners to give Sacramento's offense time to claw back. Perkins earned the win — a decision that required every bit of those five innings.

On the Houston side, Cristian Javier was sharp for four innings — eight strikeouts, three earned runs — before the Astros' bullpen took over. Enyel De Los Santos proved to be the critical crack in Houston's relief corps. He recorded just one out in his appearance while giving up three hits and three earned runs, and that implosion handed Sacramento the momentum it needed. Steven Okert took the loss after allowing a run in his inning of work.

Ninth-Inning Save Locks It Up for Sacramento

With the lead finally in hand, Sacramento turned to Hogan Harris to close it out in the ninth. Harris was sharp — two strikeouts, no hits, and one walk — to nail down the save and send the A's off with a 7-6 win. Luis Medina also contributed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts ahead of Harris, helping Sacramento's bullpen finish the job after the rocky opening frame.

Key Performers — Sacramento Athletics

  • Brian Serven: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Henry Bolte: 3-for-5
  • Max Muncy: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Jack Perkins: 5.0 IP, 6 K, 1 ER (Win)
  • Hogan Harris: 1.0 IP, 2 K, 0 ER (Save)

Key Performers — Houston Astros

  • Jose Altuve: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Isaac Paredes: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI
  • Jeremy Peña: 2-for-5
  • Cristian Javier: 4.0 IP, 8 K, 3 ER

What Is Next for the Sacramento Athletics

The A's leave Houston with a division road win and a comeback that will be tough to top the rest of this regular season. Sacramento returns home to Sutter Health Park for their next series, where the energy from a gutsy win like this one could carry into the stands. A six-run comeback against a division opponent on the road is the kind of result that matters when standings are being sorted out down the stretch of the 2026 regular season.