Astros 4, Athletics 2: Chris Carter belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning as host Houston evened the three-game series at one win apiece.

Carter hammered a towering shot to left field off reliever Luke Gregerson after a two-out error kept the inning alive and Dexter Fowler added a solo homer as the Astros halted their three-game losing streak. Josh Fields (4-6) picked up the win with one inning of relief before Chad Qualls worked a perfect ninth for his 15th save.

Jonny Gomes recorded a pair of hits - including an RBI single - while Nate Freiman chipped in a run-scoring double for Oakland, which fell one game behind the Los Angeles Angels for first place in the American League West. Gregerson (3-3) spoiled a superb effort by Jason Hammel, who yielded one run on three hits over seven innings.

Gomes put Oakland on top with a two-out RBI single in the first and preserved the lead with a sensational diving catch of Carter's line drive to left to end the third, saving a pair of runs. Gomes reached on a one-out single in the fourth and came home on Freiman's double off the wall in left.

Fowler cut the deficit in half leading off the bottom of the inning, hammering a fastball by Hammel deep into the seats in right field for his eighth homer. It stayed that way until Oakland first baseman Stephen Vogt committed a two-out error in the eighth and Gregerson plunked Jose Altuve, setting the stage for Carter's majestic blast - his 32nd homer and 19th since July 4.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel gave up two runs (one earned) and five hits over seven innings. ... Hammel surrendered 10 home runs in 17 starts with the Chicago Cubs but already has matched that total in eight outings with Oakland. ... Astros 2B Altuve, who leads the majors with 180 hits, notched his 34th double to match his career high set in 2012.