Astros wild-card hopes narrow after late loss, two games left

The Houston Astros saw their postseason fate narrow to a sliver over the weekend, first staving off an immediate collapse with a lopsided win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday and then suffering a stunning late loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday that left them one game behind for the final American League wild card spot with two regular-season games remaining.

Seattle clinched the AL West on Wednesday, leaving Houston to fight for a wild card. The Astros broke a five-game skid Thursday in Sacramento, beating the A's 11-5 behind a dominant start from Framber Valdez and an offensive outburst. Valdez allowed one run on seven hits over seven innings, struck out 10 and walked two, while the lineup produced multiple multi-run innings. Jose Altuve drove in runs throughout the game; he enters the final days of the season with 26 home runs and 77 RBIs, according to season statistics.

The victory, which put Houston temporarily alive in the wild-card chase pending other results, was quickly overshadowed by Friday night at Angel Stadium. The Astros carried a 3-0 lead into the late innings but surrendered it as Mike Trout homered twice, including a go-ahead blast in the eighth...