Lucas Spence gave the Houston Astros the jolt they have been missing. Three of them, in fact.

Spence will look to produce some more magic when the Astros face the Athletics on Friday night in the second contest of a four-game set in West Sacramento, Calif.

The 23-year-old rookie became the third player in major league history to hit his first three career homers in one game during Thursday night's 7-5 victory over the Athletics. He drove in five runs to help the Astros (79-80) remain in a tie for first place in the American League West with the Texas Rangers (79-80).

Spence was just as surprised as anybody to see the third homer land over the wall.

"It was really shocking to be honest," Spence said. "I've never hit three in a day before. Super cool, super exciting."

Houston holds the tiebreaker edge over the Rangers as it pursues its ninth playoff appearance in the past 10 seasons.

Spence hit a three-run homer in the second inning and solo shots in the seventh and ninth. His blast in the seventh put Houston ahead for good.

The other players to hit their first career homers in the same game are Seby Zavala (July 31, 2021) and Joshua Baez (Aug. 15, 2026).

"It's super enjoyable looking back at it but I was just taking one at-bat at a time," said Spence, who has 44 career at-bats after his 3-for-4 effort in his 16th major league game. "Really just trying to get base hits, but sometimes you run into a couple of homers."

Spence is only with the Astros because outfielders Brice Matthews (left knee) and Daulton Varsho (left wrist) are hurt. Matthews was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday -- when Spence was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land -- and Varsho went on the IL retroactive to Wednesday.

Spence went 0-for-3 against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker added solo blasts as the Astros belted five on Thursday.

Zack Gelof hit two homers and Jeff McNeil drilled a three-run homer for the Athletics (63-96), who lost for the seventh time in nine games.

"I just want to be a part of this team," said Gelof, who has a career-best 22 homers. "I want to prove to these guys that I can be in the lineup every day and help us win."

But the A's couldn't match Spence.

"We ran into a hitter that had a career night," Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said of Spence. "That happens in this game sometimes."

Left-hander Jacob Lopez (6-5, 5.68 ERA) will be on the mound for the Athletics on Friday.

Lopez, 28, was crushed for 10 runs and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings during a 12-6 road loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Sept. 19. He served up two homers and has allowed seven over his last four turns.

Lopez has 108 strikeouts and is six away from setting a new high.

Lopez dazzled against Houston on Aug. 22 when he struck out nine in six innings and gave up one run, three hits and one walk in a no-decision.

He has a 3.48 ERA in two starts against the Astros this season and has a 2.18 ERA in four career no-decisions. Yordan Alvarez (1-for-5) has homered off Lopez.

The Astros turn to right-hander Hunter Brown (6-3, 3.26), who is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA in his last six starts.

Brown struck out 10 for a second straight outing and the third time this season when he gave up three hits over five scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. He received a no-decision.

Brown gave up one run and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings on Aug. 22 in a no-decision against the A's. He is 4-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 10 career starts against the Athletics.

Lawrence Butler is 6-for-18 with a homer against Brown.

--Field Level Media