The Houston Astros had the opportunity to arrive in West Sacramento, Calif., sitting in an extremely advantageous position in the American League West.

Instead, Houston is tied with the Texas Rangers for first place in the division race Thursday entering a crucial season-ending four-game set against the Athletics.

Houston (78-80) led by one run in the bottom of the 10th inning on Wednesday night in Seattle but closer Josh Hader imploded and allowed two runs in the bottom of the frame as the Mariners notched a 6-5 victory.

The Astros do hold the tiebreaker over the Rangers after winning nine of the 13 meetings this season. But in essence, Houston could have put the Rangers in the position of needing to win two more games than the Astros the rest of the way.

Of course, Houston has dropped eight of its last 11 games to help create the possibility that an under-.500 team could win a division for the first time since the Divisional Era began in 1969.

The worst record of a division winner belongs to the 2005 San Diego Padres (82-80).

But first up for the Astros is bouncing back from a frustrating setback in Seattle.

"We've still got to play four more games," Hader told reporters. "We've still got to play good baseball and finish out strong.

"Obviously, we've still got the tiebreaker, so that's fortunate for us. But we can't bank on that. We've got to win out. And hopefully we'll look up and we're in the playoffs."

Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (right forearm) was limited to pinch-running duties Wednesday one day after being hit by a pitch. Pena could be back in the lineup on Thursday.

The Athletics (63-95) assured they wouldn't lose 100 games with Wednesday's 7-3 home win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Rookie Henry Bolte continued to show he's a big piece in the franchise's future by recording the first four-hit game of his career, helping the A's complete a two-game sweep of the Angels.

"I aim to finish strong and carry that momentum into the offseason with an eye toward next year," Bolte told reporters. "It's a matter of swinging consistently well and finding the pitches I can drive."

Donovan Walton hit a three-run homer and Shea Langeliers had a two-run double for the Athletics, who lost six straight games before the two straight victories.

Right-hander Peter Lambert (8-10, 3.70 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros.

Lambert is 0-5 with a 4.43 ERA over a span of 12 starts since last winning on July 11 against the Texas Rangers. He has allowed more than three runs just once during the span - when he gave up nine in 3 2/3 innings while losing to the Los Angeles Angels on July 20.

Lambert has dropped his last three starts, including last Friday against the Atlanta Braves when he gave up two runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings.

The 29-year-old Lambert is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Athletics. The victory came on June 5 in Houston when Lambert held the A's to one run and five hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Bolte is 3-for-3 against Lambert and Zack Gelof is 2-for-3.

Right-hander Mason Barnett (1-4, 7.16) makes his sixth straight start for the Athletics.

Barnett lasted just 3 1/3 innings against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. He gave up three runs and seven hits in a no-decision.

Barnett has made one career appearance against Houston. He pitched four scoreless innings of relief and gave up one hit, two walks and struck out seven on June 5.

-Field Level Media