HOUSTON -- Mark Ellis hit a two-run double in the eighth as the Oakland Athletics rallied past the Houston Astros 7-to-3.

Eric Chavez added a two-run single during the five-run eighth. He also homered for the A's, who've won nine of eleven.

Oakland's Jason Kendall had a leadoff homer in the sixth. That's his first home run since May 31st of 2006, a span of 157 games and 619 at-bats. It ended the second-longest drought in the majors among active players.

Dan Wheeler is 0-and-4 with the loss. Oakland starter Joe Blanton is 6-and-4 with the win.