OAKLAND, Calif. – After a promising start, Oakland A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn got roughed up Friday night in an 8-3 loss to the Houston Astros.
Blackburn retired the first nine batters he faced, striking out five of them. The second time through the Houston order proved to be a different story. Blackburn allowed seven hits and six runs and exited in the fifth inning after the first five batters reached base.
It was the second time in three starts that Blackburn (6-4) has given up six runs or more.
