McHugh throws 6 shutout innings in Astros' 3-1 win over A's

HOUSTON -- Collin McHugh threw six scoreless innings, Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis homered and the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Rasmus put Houston up 1-0 with a homer in the second inning in his first at-bat since returning from the 15-day disabled list. Rasmus went on the DL on Aug. 5 with a cyst in his right ear.

Gattis hit a solo homer in the seventh to make it 3-0.

McHugh (9-10) allowed four hits and struck out five. He had allowed at least three runs in each of his previous six starts.

Houston remained two games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card.

Alex Bregman had an RBI single in the third for Houston.

Will Harris threw a perfect seventh, and Luke Gregerson allowed an unearned run in the eighth before Ken Giles pitched the ninth for his sixth save.

Marcus Semien cut the lead to 3-1 with an RBI groundout to short in the eighth.

Oakland put runners on the corners with one out in the second, but Rasmus caught Max Muncy's flyout and threw home in time to get Ryon Healy and end the inning.

Kendall Graveman (10-9) allowed three runs and four hits in seven innings. Graveman had allowed one run in his previous two starts.

TRAINING ROOM

Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea (left rhomboid strain) will likely miss his next start, manager Bob Melvin said.

Astros: The Astros optioned RHP Brad Peacock to Triple-A Fresno to make room on the roster for Rasmus.

FRONT OFFICE PROMOTIONS

The Astros promoted Mike Elias to assistant general manager, scouting and player development. Elias had been the director of amateur scouting. In addition to Elias' promotion, the Astros promoted Pete Putila to director of player development and Armando Velasco to assistant director of player development.

UP NEXT

Athletics: LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3, 5.74) takes the mound Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series. Detwiler has allowed 14 runs in his last three starts, covering 14 innings.

Astros: RHP Mike Fiers (9-6, 4.40) makes his 25th start of the season Wednesday. Fiers pitched into the seventh in his last outing Friday against Tampa Bay, allowing three runs.