Lucas Spence Powers Astros with Three-Homer Night in Thrilling Win Over Athletics

According to a report dated September 25, 2026, rookie outfielder Lucas Spence made an immediate impact for the Houston Astros, launching three home runs in his first major‑league start and helping Houston edge the Oakland Athletics 7‑5 on a Thursday night in West Sacramento, California. The performance not only marked a personal milestone but also had immediate ramifications in the tightly contested American League West race.

Game Summary and Key Moments

The Athletics struck first, with Jeff McNeil delivering a three‑run homer in the third inning to put Oakland ahead 3‑0. Houston answered in the bottom of the second when Spence deposited a three‑run shot to left field, knitting the score at 3‑3. Zack Gelof then gave Oakland a brief 4‑3 lead with a solo shot in the fourth, but the Astros responded in the seventh. After starter Peter Lambert labored through 2⅔ innings, yielding four runs on six hits, Miguel Ullola entered and shut the door with three scoreless innings of relief.

Spence wasn’t done. He launched his second home run in the seventh inning, a go‑ahead two‑run blast that put Houston up 5‑4. Christian Walker added his 27th homer of the season in the eighth, extending the lead to 6‑4. In the ninth, Spence completed his historic night with a third home run, sealing the 7‑5 final. Bryan Abreu preserved the advantage with a ninth‑inning save, allowing just one hit over his final 1⅓ frames.

Lucas Spence’s Historic Three-Homer Performance

Spence, who was summoned from the Triple‑A roster just one day prior to the game, entered the contest with only 40 major‑league at‑bats to his name. His three‑home‑run feat made him the first player in MLB history to hit each of his first three career home runs in the same game. Prior to Spence, only Joshua Baez (August 15, 2023) and Seby Zavala (July 31, 2021) had achieved the distinction of homering in each of their first three career at‑bats, but none had done so in a single contest.

After the game, Spence told reporters, “It’s super enjoyable looking back at it. Just take it one at‑bat at a time. Really just trying to hit base hits, but sometimes you run into a couple homers. It was really shocking, to be honest. I’ve never hit three in a day. So super cool, super exciting.”

Contributions from Walker, Paredes and the Astros Lineup

While Spence stole the headlines, the Astros received valuable support from the rest of the lineup. Christian Walker’s eighth‑inning homer was his 27th of the season, underscoring his continued power output. Isaac Paredes also contributed a solo shot earlier in the game, adding depth to Houston’s offensive attack. The combination of timely power from the middle of the order and Spence’s breakout night gave the Astros the cushion they needed to withstand Oakland’s late‑inning push.

Pitching Highlights: Bullpen Shines After Early Struggles

Starting pitcher Peter Lambert labored through just 2⅔ innings, surrendering four runs on six hits. However, the Astros’ bullpen responded admirably. Rookie Miguel Ullola (2‑0) delivered three scoreless frames of relief, stranding inherited runners and keeping the Athletics at bay. Bryan Abreu, already credited with nine saves on the season, closed the game with a flawless ninth inning, allowing only a single hit.

The relief effort was especially crucial given the Athletics’ ability to generate runs with timely power, as demonstrated by McNeil’s early three‑run blast and Gelof’s pair of solo shots.

Athletics’ Efforts and Near Comeback

Oakland showed resilience throughout the contest. Jeff McNeil’s three‑run homer in the third gave the Athletics an early lead, and Zack Gelof’s solo shot in the fourth and another in the eighth kept them within striking distance. Gelof’s eighth‑inning blast trimmed the deficit to a single run, setting up a tense finale.

Athletics starter Mason Barnett logged a career‑high six innings, allowing four runs on four hits, while Scott Blewett absorbed the go‑ahead run in the seventh after Barnett’s departure. Despite the late surge, Oakland could not overcome the Astros’ bullpen and Spence’s late‑inning power.

Implications for the AL West Race and Playoff Picture

The victory left Houston (79‑80) tied with the Texas Rangers for the American League West lead, each with three games remaining in the regular season. Houston holds the season‑series tiebreaker over Texas at 9‑4, meaning a win in any of the remaining games would secure the division crown outright.

For the Athletics, the loss kept them out of the immediate playoff picture but highlighted the potential impact of their young power hitters. As the season winds down, both clubs will look to build on performances like Spence’s three‑home‑run night and the Athletics’ timely power to position themselves favorably for the postseason.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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