WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Houston Astros’ offense erupted early and often, and Framber Valdez delivered a dominant start to snap a two-game skid with an 11-5 victory over the Athletics on Thursday evening at Sutter Health Park.

In a game that defied pregame projections from Interstat, which had favored the Athletics in a 7-5 final, the Astros seized control from the outset. They scored twice in the first inning and three more times in the second, chasing Athletics starter J.T. Ginn early and never looking back. Despite both teams recording 12 hits, Houston’s were more timely and impactful, capitalizing on walks and defensive opportunities to build an insurmountable lead.

Valdez was the story for Houston, earning his 13th win of the season against 11 losses. The left-hander was in command for seven strong innings, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out 10 Athletics batters. His performance provided a steadying force for an Astros team that had dropped the first two games of this series in disappointing fashion, being outscored 11-1.

The Astros’ first-inning rally set the tone. After a leadoff strikeout, Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch from Ginn and Carlos Correa worked a walk. Victor Caratini singled to right field to score Paredes, and Correa later came home on a force-out grounder by Christian Walker. An Athletics challenge on the force play at second base was unsuccessful, upholding the call and the 2-0 Houston lead.

Houston broke the game open in the second. Zach Cole led off with a double, advanced to third on a walk to Mauricio Dubón, and scored on a line-drive double by Jose Altuve. Dubón then scored on a single by Paredes, and Altuve crossed the plate on a soft groundout by Correa, making it 5-0.

The Astros continued to apply pressure, adding two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to extend the lead to 9-0. In the fourth, Altuve and Paredes again were catalysts, with both scoring on a single by Walker. In the fifth, Dubón drove in a run with a double and then scored on a pop-fly single by Altuve.

Oakland finally got to Valdez in the sixth inning when Nick Kurtz launched a solo home run, his 34th of the season, to left-center field. That was the only blemish on Valdez’s line, as he navigated around other baserunners with the help of a key double play in the third inning.

Houston tacked on single runs in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, Carlos Correa hit a ground-rule double to score Mauricio Dubón. In the eighth, Christian Walker connected for a solo shot, his 24th homer of the year, to left field.

The Athletics made the final score more respectable with a late surge against the Houston bullpen. After Valdez departed, Kurtz struck again in the eighth inning, blasting a two-run homer off reliever Scott McGough, his 35th of the season, scoring Colby Thomas.

In the ninth, mounted one last threat against Bryan Abreu. Shea Langeliers and JJ Bleday hit back-to-back doubles to plate one run, and a groundout by Max Schuemann brought home another. Abreu eventually settled in, striking out Kurtz to end the game with the potential tying run in the on-deck circle.

Ginn took the loss for Oakland, falling to 4-7 on the season after being roughed up for seven runs on six hits and four walks in just 3.2 innings. Athletics relievers Osvaldo Bido and Scott McGough each allowed a run in their appearances.

While Kurtz was the standout for with a 3-for-5, two-homer, three-RBI performance, the Astros’ offense was a collective effort. Altuve, Paredes, Correa, and Dubón each drove in runs, with Walker’s home run and three RBIs leading the charge.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 8,293, took 3 hours and 5 minutes. The combined 16 runs fell well under the pregame over/under line of 9.5.

With the win, Houston improved its record to 85-74, while fell to 75-84. The Astros will look to carry the momentum from this offensive outburst into a weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels beginning Friday. The Athletics will remain at home to host the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set starting Friday.