Butler leads A’s charge with near-cycle in 8-2 win over Astros

By MICHAEL WAGAMAN

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Lawrence Butler hit one of the Athletics’ five homers, fell a single short of the cycle and made a tremendous throw from right field to cut down a runner at the plate as Oakland beat the Houston Astros 8-2 on Tuesday night.

Brent Rooker, Seth Brown, Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers also connected to help the A’s hand the AL West-leading Astros a second consecutive defeat.

Butler tripled and scored on Rooker’s two-run drive in the first inning...