Lucas Spence's Power Surge Fuels A's Playoff Aspirations

WHO:

MLB.com - Daulton Varsho was placed on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation, ending his season.

MLB.com - Jorge Barrosa was selected to the Major League roster for the final four games of the regular season.

MLB.com - Lucas Spence, a rookie outfielder for the Houston Astros.

MLB.com - Mason Barnett, a right-hander for the Oakland Athletics.

MLB.com - Jeff McNeil, a player for the Oakland Athletics.

MLB.com - Zack Gelof, a player for the Oakland Athletics.

MLB.com - Daulton Varsho, a veteran outfielder for the Houston Astros.

MLB.com - Mark Kotsay, manager of the Oakland Athletics.

MLB.com - Joe Espada, manager of the Houston Astros.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Varsho slashed .172/.224/.311 with five home runs in 151 at-bats for the Astros after being acquired from Toronto.

MLB.com - Mason Barnett matched a career high with eight strikeouts in his final start of the season.

MLB.com - Lucas Spence hit three home runs and drove in five runs in a 7-5 victory over the Athletics.

MLB.com - Spence became the third player in Major League history to hit his first three career homers in the same game.

MLB.com - The Astros improved to 79-80 and remained in a first-place tie in the American League West with the Texas Rangers.

MLB.com - Mason Barnett pitched six innings, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks, finishing the season with a 7.02 ERA in 20 games.

MLB.com - Jeff McNeil hit a three-run homer and finished the game with two hits.

MLB.com - Zack Gelof hit two home runs, bringing his season total to 22.

MLB.com - Daulton Varsho was placed on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation, ending his season.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The game took place at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The game occurred on a Thursday night.

MLB.com - Spence was recalled from the Houston taxi squad on a Wednesday prior to the game.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Astros needed a win to maintain their playoff position and were in a first-place tie with the Rangers.

HOW:

MLB.com - Varsho has been dealing with cysts in his left wrist that limited his mobility and caused pain for three months.

MLB.com - Spence made adjustments to his swing after struggling in a previous game, which helped him hit three home runs.

Daulton Varsho has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation, which will end his season after he struggled with mobility and pain from cysts for the past three months. During his time with the Astros, Varsho posted a batting average of .172 with five home runs in 151 at-bats after being acquired from Toronto. In a positive note for the team, Mason Barnett matched a career high with eight strikeouts in his final start of the season, while Jorge Barrosa has been selected to join the Major League roster for the last four games.