Athletics 2, Astros 1: Rookie Dan Straily scattered two hits over seven scoreless innings and Yoenis Cespedes continued his stellar month by hitting a leadoff homer in the fourth as host Oakland posted its 10th win in 13 games.

Cespedes went 2-for-4 to improve to 11-for-28 with four runs scored in September. Jed Lowrie belted a two-out shot in the seventh inning for the first-place Athletics, who defeated their new division rival for the 14th time in 18 meetings and moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Texas in the American League West.

Straily (9-7) struck out seven to win his second straight start overall and second of the season versus Houston. Brett Wallace ripped a one-out double in the eighth and scored on a fielder's choice by Brandon Barnes, but Sean Doolittle recorded four outs for his second career save and first this year.

Cespedes opened the scoring by depositing a 1-1 changeup from rookie Brett Oberholtzer (4-2) over the wall in left-center field for his 22nd homer - and second in six contests.

Lowrie tacked on a much-needed insurance run by jumping on a 1-2 changeup from reliever Josh Zeid and sending it over the wall in center. The blast was Lowrie's 11th - and first since Aug. 29.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Oberholtzer permitted one run on seven hits in six innings for the lowly Astros, who have dropped nine of their last 12 contests. ... Cespedes also made his presence felt in the field by throwing out Houston SS Jonathan Villar to end the third inning as he attempted to stretch a single into a double. ... Houston RF Trevor Crowe went 0-for-4 as his eight-game hitting streak come to an end.