Correa's RBI single in 12th lifts Astros over Athletics 6-5

HOUSTON -- Carlos Correa was taken first overall in the draft by the Houston Astros four years ago on Saturday.

Last year's AL Rookie of the Year used the anniversary of his selection to once again showcase what a great pick he was.

Correa had three hits and his RBI single with one out in the 12th inning lifted the Houston Astros to a 6-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

"Pretty cool. Pretty special, that was a special moment in my career and it was a great win," Correa said.

After Jed Lowrie hit a tying home run with two outs in the ninth for Oakland, the Astros came back to win.

George Springer started Houston's 12th with a double off Ryan Madson (2-2) and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jose Altuve. Correa then shot a single down the right field line to give Houston its seventh win in eight games.

"We put up our best at-bats when it matters," manager A.J. Hinch said. "I think we have a way about ourselves to where we don't over swing in those moments."

Scott Feldman (3-3) plunked Khris Davis with two outs in the 12th before a single by Yonder Alonso. But Feldman retired Marcus Semien to end the inning.

Lowrie hit his first home run of the season, a solo drive to the first row in the seats in right field against his former team to make it 5-all.

"We gave ourselves some opportunities," Lowrie said. "We also pitched out of some big spots, too. They had plenty of opportunities. Unfortunately, that is the way that a lot of these extra-inning games go. The home team has the advantage."

The drive left Luke Gregerson with his second straight blown save.

"A lot of times I'm putting the ball almost right where I want it -- down in the zone and good locations," Gregerson said. "Sometimes, you're just getting beat and I'm just trying not to get too frustrated with myself because I know that I'm making the pitch I want and right now, it's just not coming my way."

This was Houston's ninth extra-inning game of the season, which leads the American League, and the longest game this year for the A's.

Evan Gattis homered for the second straight game and Colby Rasmus doubled twice to help Houston build a 5-3 lead in the fifth.

Correa had an RBI single early and tripled for the second straight game before his game-winning hit.

Chris Coghlan hit a two RBI double in Oakland's three-run second and Danny Valencia cut the lead to 5-4 with a solo homer in the sixth.

Collin McHugh followed up his first career complete game by yielding five hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings. Will Harris, who has an 0.35 ERA, allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth to extend his scoreless streak to 24 1/3 innings.

Oakland starter Kendall Graveman allowed seven hits and five runs in 4 1/3 innings, which tied his shortest outing this year.

UNINVITED GUEST

Play was briefly stopped in the bottom of the fourth inning when a fan climbed onto the field from a seat on the third base line and trotted out to the mound jumping and wildly waving a small American flag.

The man was wrestled to the ground by a group of about six security guards and police officers, and he flailed repeatedly as he was escorted off the field. He lost his flag in the scuffle and A's first baseman Yonder Alonso picked it up and waved it briefly before handing it to security personnel.

ROOKIE HAZING

Some of Houston's veterans, led by ace Dallas Keuchel, pranked rookie Tyler White by driving his Range Rover Evoque onto the warning track in center field before the game. White wasn't amused by the incident and fumed as he made the long walk from home plate to the outfield to try and move the car. But he couldn't find the keys and he soon retreated back to the clubhouse. A clubhouse employee finally moved the SUV, but not before Carlos Gomez hit a ball which crashed onto the top of it. Keuchel said they'd pay for any damages the stunt caused.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: Rich Hill, who was scheduled to start on Saturday before being scratched on Friday with a groin strain, is expected to miss one more start before returning sometime in next weekend's series against Cincinnati.

UP NEXT

Athletics: Sonny Gray (3-5, 6.19) will come off the disabled list to start on Sunday. He was scheduled to make a rehabilitation start for Single-A Stockton on Sunday, but his return was pushed up because of Hill's injury.

Astros: Lance McCullers (2-1, 4.79) is expected to start for Houston on Sunday. McCullers won his second straight game in his last start after allowing six hits and three runs in five innings of an 8-5 victory over Arizona.