Athletics Pitchers Struggle with Control in Lopsided Loss to Astros

13 walks issued as Oakland falls 11-0 to Houston

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Oakland Athletics pitching staff struggled mightily with control in their 11-0 loss to the Houston Astros, issuing a total of 13 walks. Right-hander Luis Morales led the way, giving up five runs on eight walks in his outing.

Why it matters

The Athletics' inability to throw strikes put immense pressure on their pitchers and defense, leading to a lopsided defeat against their division rivals. Walks have been an ongoing issue for the A's this season, hampering their ability to compete in the AL West.

The details

Athletics pitchers struggled with their command throughout the game, walking a total of 13 batters. Starter Luis Morales set the tone early, surrendering five runs on eight walks in his appearance. The bullpen was unable to stem the tide, as the Astros capitalized on the free passes to cruise to an 11-0 victory.

  • The game took place on April 5, 2026.

The players

Luis Morales

The Oakland Athletics right-hander who started the game and struggled with control, walking eight batters.

Houston Astros

The American League West division rivals who took advantage of the Athletics' control issues to win 11-0.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have to find a way to throw more strikes and limit the free passes. That's been a problem for us all season, and it really hurt us today.”

— Bob Melvin, Athletics Manager

What’s next

The Athletics will look to bounce back in their next series against the division-leading Texas Rangers.

The takeaway

The Athletics' inability to throw strikes has been a recurring issue this season, and it came back to haunt them in a big way in this lopsided loss to the Astros. Improving their control and limiting walks will be a key focus as they try to stay competitive in the AL West race.