OAKLAND, Calif. -AP- The Houston Astros realize they can hardly afford many more September slip-ups as they try to hold a slim division lead.Their advantage in the AL West is down to one game after Texas won at Seattle.Sonny Gray outpitched close friend Scott Kazmir, and the Athletics spoiled the former Oakland lefty's return to the Coliseum mound with a 4-0 win over the Astros on Tuesday night."It's always frustrating losing a game, especially at a time like this where we really need to take care of business," Kazmir said. 
"You have to stay positive, trust what's gotten us here this entire year and we'll be just fine. We can't let a game like this really bother us and we can't let it carry on for tomorrow's game and the series ahead of that."Mark Canha hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning after Billy Burns' earlier solo shot to back Gray (13-7). The All-Star right-hander ended a four-start winless stretch and got the best of mentor Kazmir, traded by the A's to his hometown Astros on July 23.Kazmir had been back to the Bay Area with Houston but didn't pitch against his old team during that trip in early August. He faced A's for the first time since Aug. 18, 2013, with the Indians.Gray allowed five hits, struck out four and walked two in seven innings. He ended a three-game losing streak with his first victory since beating Houston on Aug. 7."The one to Canha is something I look back and kind of just shake my head," Kazmir said. "That's a huge hit right there. We're trying to battle our way back and end up giving up a 3-spot in the fifth inning that's tough to come back from, especially with a guy like Sonny on the mound."Ryan Dull pitched the final two innings.Kazmir (7-10) lost his second consecutive decision. He was tagged for four runs and seven hits in six innings."You tell them this is an opportunity to play tomorrow," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. "We're not going to carry any baggage with us. The drama surrounding multiple losses in a row, it certainly hurts. Our guys know what's at stake. Our guys are ready to play."Gray got through a 1-2-3 first on 11 pitches. Kazmir allowed two singles in the bottom half but escaped unscathed on a night when the game-time temperature of 87 degrees was the warmest at the Coliseum all season.Houston left the bases loaded in the second after Carlos Gomez's leadoff double and a pair of one-out walks. Hank Conger struck out and Jake Marisnick fouled out.The A's are doing their part to affect the playoff race after holding off the Astros 10-9 on Monday afternoon."I had a rough outing my last time so it was important to get back on the mound and put zeros up, give us a chance to win," Gray said.Jed Lowrie was back in Houston's starting lineup after resting for most of Monday's game, but went 0 for 4 with his first hitless game in the last eight. He batted .478 (11 for 23) with three home runs, four doubles and seven RBI during that stretch.
"You have to stay positive, trust what's gotten us here this entire year and we'll be just fine. We can't let a game like this really bother us and we can't let it carry on for tomorrow's game and the series ahead of that."Mark Canha hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning after Billy Burns' earlier solo shot to back Gray (13-7). The All-Star right-hander ended a four-start winless stretch and got the best of mentor Kazmir, traded by the A's to his hometown Astros on July 23.Kazmir had been back to the Bay Area with Houston but didn't pitch against his old team during that trip in early August. He faced A's for the first time since Aug. 18, 2013, with the Indians.Gray allowed five hits, struck out four and walked two in seven innings. He ended a three-game losing streak with his first victory since beating Houston on Aug. 7."The one to Canha is something I look back and kind of just shake my head," Kazmir said. "That's a huge hit right there. We're trying to battle our way back and end up giving up a 3-spot in the fifth inning that's tough to come back from, especially with a guy like Sonny on the mound."Ryan Dull pitched the final two innings.Kazmir (7-10) lost his second consecutive decision. He was tagged for four runs and seven hits in six innings."You tell them this is an opportunity to play tomorrow," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. "We're not going to carry any baggage with us. The drama surrounding multiple losses in a row, it certainly hurts. Our guys know what's at stake. Our guys are ready to play."Gray got through a 1-2-3 first on 11 pitches. Kazmir allowed two singles in the bottom half but escaped unscathed on a night when the game-time temperature of 87 degrees was the warmest at the Coliseum all season.Houston left the bases loaded in the second after Carlos Gomez's leadoff double and a pair of one-out walks. Hank Conger struck out and Jake Marisnick fouled out.The A's are doing their part to affect the playoff race after holding off the Astros 10-9 on Monday afternoon."I had a rough outing my last time so it was important to get back on the mound and put zeros up, give us a chance to win," Gray said.Jed Lowrie was back in Houston's starting lineup after resting for most of Monday's game, but went 0 for 4 with his first hitless game in the last eight. He batted .478 (11 for 23) with three home runs, four doubles and seven RBI during that stretch.
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