The Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates squared off once again in the second game of this three-game interleague series. The A’s jumped out to an early lead, only to blow multiple scoring opportunities in the later innings as the Pirates used the long ball to rally for a come-from-behind road victory.
A’s Strike Right Away
In the bottom of the first, the A’s offense drew first blood against Pirates’ starter Mitch Keller. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and shortstop Jacob Wilson drew walks to load the bases with one out. It looked like the A’s would waste that opportunity when Cortes struck out for the second out.
Third baseman Zack Gelof came through. He hit a grounder that Pirates’ first baseman Spencer Horwitz knocked down. Horwitz’s throw to the pitcher covering first was wild, allowing all three runners to score on the chaotic play. Wilson came all the way around from first, using a nifty slide spin to avoid the catcher’s tag. Gelof was credited with just one RBI because of the first baseman’s throwing error and a third-base obstruction call. Gelof kept his hitting streak going, which at 20 games, is now tied for the fourth-longest by an A’s player this century.
A’s right fielder Lawrence Butler made it a four-run first inning, lining a double down the left-field line to score Gelof and keep the rally going.
A’s starting pitcher Jack Perkins opened his outing with three scoreless innings, striking out five, while keeping momentum on his team’s side.
Pirates Get On the Board
Kurtz made a nice diving play at first base on a Brandon Lowe grounder to record the first out of the fourth inning.
With one out, the Pirates got two straight singles to put runners on the corners. Pittsburgh’s third baseman Nick Gonzales hit an RBI groundout to bring home the Pirates’ first run of the game. Perkins limited the damage by retiring the next batter to strand a runner at second.
Base Running Mistakes on Both Sides
In the fifth inning, the A’s took advantage of bad Pittsburgh base running. Bolte made the catch in center field and fired to Kurtz to complete the double play, as the Pirates runner on first base had broken on contact. That was Bolte’s second outfield assist and the Athletics eighth of the season.
Perkins walked the next two hitters he faced before striking out Lowe to escape a two-on, two-out jam and complete five innings for the first time this season.
Pirates Inch Closer
Perkins remained in the game to start the sixth, but Pirates’ left fielder Bryan Reynolds led off the inning with his third hit of the game—a solo home run to center, his ninth of the season—that cut the A’s lead in half. Designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn followed by lining a double to right-center.
Perkins’ night was over after he allowed two straight extra base hits. Right-hander Justin Sterner entered from the A’s bullpen to replace him, inheriting a runner at second with no outs.
Catcher Endy Rodriguez’s one-out RBI single scored O’Hearn to make it a 4-3 game. That closed the book on Perkins, who allowed three runs on six hits over five-plus innings. He struck out six, while inducing five groundouts and two fly outs. The A’s got the final out of the top of sixth as Wilson’s heads-up play caught Rodríguez in a rundown between second and third base. For the second straight inning, the visitors’ bad base running reared its head.
Gelof On-Fire!
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Gelof collected his third hit of the game. His 10th home run of the season, a solo shot to left field, knocked Keller out of the game. The Pirates starter pitched well aside from the beginning and end of his outing. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings. Pirates’ left-hander Evan Sisk replaced Keller and got the final two outs of the inning.
Harris Blows the Lead
Athletics left-hander Hogan Harris made his 37th appearance of the season in the seventh. He issued a one-out walk to Horwitz. With two outs, Reynolds tied the game with his second home run in as many innings, a two-run shot to right field. The Pirates’ left fielder was a one-man wrecking crew, finishing 4-for-5.
A’s Waste Multiple Scoring Chances
Alika Wiliams, pinch-hitting for McNeil, began the last of the seventh with a double to left field. Reliever Yohan Ramirez’s wild pitch advanced Williams to third base with one out.
The hosts squandered that scoring opportunity as catcher Shea Langeliers and Wilson both grounded out. In the eighth inning, both teams left runners at second base, once again wasting chances with runners in scoring position.
Pirates Surge Ahead Late
After Mark Leiter. Jr pitched a scoreless eighth, the A’s turned to right-hander Elvis Alvarado to work the top of the ninth with the game tied at 5-5. The Pirates took their first lead of the game on Lowe’s one-out solo home run to right, his 18th of the season.
A’s Come Up Short
The visitors brought in hard-throwing left-hander Gregory Soto for the save opportunity. Kurtz lined a one-out single to left field for his first hit of the game. Langeliers singled up the middle, advancing Kurtz to second and bringing the tying run into scoring position with Soderstrom due up. The A’s rally fizzled out as Soto retired Soderstrom and Wilson to save the game.
The Pirates’ victory tonight entails a rubber game tomorrow between these two historic MLB franchises. Veteran right-hander Aaron Civale will make his return from the injured list to start the series finale for the Athletics. He will be opposed by right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who is 5-3 with a 3.30 ERA through his first 14 starts of the season.
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