A’s Sonny Gray K’s 9 In First MLB Win

Oakland A’s right-hander Sonny Gray dominated the Houston Astros with a blistering fastball and filthy curve on the way to 5-0 with in an impressive first major league victory.  Nate Freiman hit a two-run homer and four RBI to back up the performance by Gray.

The 23-year-old Gray (1-1) allowed four hits and walked one over eight innings, throwing 118 pitches in his second career start and fourth big league appearance.

Gray was the drafted by the A’s in the 2011 amateur draft with the 18th pick in the first round.

Oakland pulled within 1½ games of idle first-place Texas in the AL West, avoiding falling three back for biggest deficit since May 31.

Gray has drawn comparisons to former A’s ace Tim Hudson.

“I’ve been getting comparisons ever since high school, the short righty,” Gray said with a grin. “If you compare me to Tim Hudson, he’s one of my favorite pitchers, one of the greatest pitchers.”