Spence powers Astros to victory
Yordan Spence hit three home runs, including the game-winning shot in the ninth inning, to lead the Houston Astros to a 7-5 victory over the Sacramento Athletics on Friday, September 25, 2026. The away team took the win at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, where 9,367 fans watched the contest.
Spence’s multi-hit performance was the defining factor in a game that saw eight total home runs.
Early lead and quick response
The Astros established an early advantage in the top of the second inning when Spence homered to right center field for a drive of 429 feet. That blast scored two runners, Walker and Smith, giving Houston a 3-0 lead. The Athletics responded quickly in the bottom of the third inning.
Matty McNeil hit a 379-foot home run to right center, scoring Heim and Langeliers to make it 3-3. The A’s took the lead later in the same frame when Gelof hit a 413-foot solo home run to center field.
Mid-game momentum shifts
Houston regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Paredes hit a 394-foot solo home run to left field. The score tied at 4-4 before Spence added his second home run of the game in the top of the seventh, a 387-foot shot to right center.
The Athletics tied the game again in the bottom of the eighth when Walker hit a 436-foot solo home run to left center. Gelof then hit a 398-foot solo home run to left center to give Sacramento a 5-4 lead.
Final frames and pitching
Spence broke the tie in the top of the ninth inning with his third home run, a 351-foot blast to right field. The Astros did not score again, holding the 7-5 lead. For Houston, Miguel Ullola earned the win with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.
Bryan Abreu recorded the save with one and one-third scoreless innings. Mason Barnett took the loss for the Athletics, pitching six innings and allowing four runs on four hits while striking out eight. The Astros improved to 79-80, while the Athletics fell to 63-96.
Sources
ESPN
