WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Lawrence Butler hit a three-run homer and an RBI single, Max Muncy followed Butler’s fourth-inning drive with a solo shot after his earlier two-run double, and the Athletics pounded the Houston Astros 11-4 on Friday night for a victorious home opener.

The A’s added a run in their decisive six-run fourth on Tyler Soderstrom’s shallow popup that catcher Yainer Diaz couldn’t corral some 10 feet up the first-base line as three other players converged. Jacob Wilson singled home a run two batters later before Butler and Muncy connected back-to-back. Soderstrom also doubled in a run for the A’s, who went 36-45 at home last season.

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