Astros 3, Athletics 2 (12): L.J. Hoes homered with one out in the 12th inning as Houston handed Oakland a rare home loss.

Hoes deposited a first-pitch fastball from Fernando Abad (2-4) over the wall in left field to lead the Astros to their third straight victory over Oakland after losing the first five meetings of the season. Former Athletic Chris Carter went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, All-Star Jose Altuve also recorded three hits and Darin Downs (2-1) notched the win after throwing one pitch in the 11th before Chad Qualls worked a perfect 12th for his 11th save.

All-Star Josh Donaldson and Jed Lowrie each had an RBI for the Athletics, who had won eight of nine at home. Scott Kazmir, who also represented Oakland in the Midsummer Classic, produced another strong performance as he allowed two runs - one earned - and seven hits over seven innings.

After Oakland squandered a first-and-third, none-out opportunity in the second inning, Houston grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third. Marwin Gonzalez and Altuve began the frame with singles and both advanced on an error before scoring on Carter's base hit.

The Athletics halved the deficit in the bottom half as Craig Gentry led off with a single, advanced to third on a pair of stolen bases and scored on Donaldson's grounder. Lowrie forged a tie in the sixth with a sacrifice fly that plated Donaldson, who hit a one-out double and moved to third on All-Star Derek Norris' single.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Oakland OF Josh Reddick (knee) was activated from the disabled list prior to the game and went 0-for-2 after entering the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. ... Houston rookie OF George Springer missed his second straight game with soreness in his right knee and quadriceps. ... Astros LHP Brett Oberholtzer allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. ... Kazmir has yielded fewer than three runs in nine of his last 10 starts.