Dubón gets redemption with a go-ahead HR

OAKLAND -- Mauricio Dubón might have to make pregame crossword puzzles a habit.

Before Sunday afternoon’s game at the Coliseum, Alex Bregman was racking his brain with a crossword, enlisting the help of some teammates. Dubón helped out with an answer, and Bregman yelled, “That’s one hit guaranteed for Dubón today!”

Well, Bregman was right.

In the top of the ninth inning, Dubón stepped to the plate hitless in four at-bats to that point. Then he launched a pitch over the left-field fence to give the Astros a 3-2 win over the A’s on getaway day.

“We were talking about that [crossword puzzle],” Dubón said, smiling after the game.

Truth be told, Dubón attributed his blast to a bargaining session with a higher power. He was 1-for-14 during the series before the home run and seeking a breakthrough.

“It’s been a horrible series, trying to search, trying to get back and going,” Dubón said. “I asked God for help, honestly. I was literally like, ‘Hey, it’s me again.’ He ended up coming through.”

Dubón’s dinger also provided him some redemption.

Just moments earlier, Dubón missed a sign (ostensibly for a hit-and-run), and it left his teammate Jeremy Peña exposed on the basepaths for an easy caught-stealing. The next pitch, Dubón delivered his dagger, saying he was familiar with Oakland reliever Chad Smith’s slider after seeing it four times during the at-bat.

“I missed the sign,” Dubón said. “I got more focused on trying to make something happen. [I] tried to stay focused, stay patient with whatever was coming and tried to flush it out right away.”

With the homer, Dubón matched his career high for a season (5) while also recording his 27th RBI, adding on to his career-high total. Despite his recent mini-slump, the 29-year-old is slashing .269/.293/.382 -- which would be career bests for any season he’s played at least 55 games.

In short, Dubón is in the midst of a career year.

“I think it’s just a matter of opportunity,” Dubón said. “[Manager] Dusty [Baker] gave me the trust of going out there and playing. Just trying to grind at-bats and he never doubted. I think that’s been the biggest key for my success this year … I’ve waited my whole life for this.”

Dubón’s production has been necessary to keep the Astros' lineup afloat, as starting second baseman Jose Altuve has only played in 32 of the team’s 100 games this season. Aside from his solid glove, Dubón has also been a lynchpin in the leadoff spot amid Altuve’s absence.

“He’s been big,” Baker said. “Leadoff spot, he’s played a great second base. He’s given us everything and more than we need. But as a manager, you always want more. There’s more there. He’s just tapped the surface of what his abilities are. Hopefully this started that process.”

Baker said he’s hoping to get Altuve (left oblique strain) back soon -- the star took part in batting practice again Sunday -- so he can use Dubón as a super utility man to keep his squad fresh. Dubón has also logged innings at shortstop, left field and first base this year, while also appearing in center and right field for the Astros last season.

“We wouldn’t be close right now without Mauricio, especially with as many games as Altuve has missed,” Baker said. “It would be great to get Altuve back, and then I can move Dubón around and give him a rest. This is the most games he’s ever played, so he’s treading in territory where he’s never been before.”

It’s also worth noting that Dubón turned an impressive double play in the second inning to bail out righty Hunter Brown, who put together a quality start by allowing just two earned runs over six innings on six hits and two walks while striking out four.

Catcher Yainer Diaz also hit a solo shot in the fifth inning, while Corey Julks walked with the bases loaded in the seventh inning to tie up the game before Dubón’s game-winner. Houston sits three games back of Texas heading into the Lone Star Series, which begins at Minute Maid Park on Monday.

“This is what you yearn for all the time,” Baker said. “You’re only three games out before August, you got action. … You gotta make hay when you can.”