Peterson's 2 homers help A's beat Pirates, end 15-game road skid
Oakland Athletics' Jace Peterson (6) returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chase De Jong during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
PITTSBURGH — Jace Peterson homered twice on a five-hit night and drove in five runs, and the Oakland Athletics ended a 15-game road losing streak with an 11-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
The major league-worst A's (13-50) broke open the game late behind Peterson, whose RBI single off Pirates ace Mitch Keller put Oakland ahead 3-2 in the sixth. Peterson gave Oakland a five-run lead with a two-run homer off Chase De Jong in the eighth, then added another two-run shot off De Jong in the ninth.
Batting in the eighth spot, Peterson finished 5-for-5, raising his batting average from .194 to .218.
James Kaprielian (1-6) allowed two runs on four hits in six innings for his first win since last Oct. 2. The A's had not won away from Oakland since beating the Los Angeles Angels 11-10 on April 24.
Keller (7-2) gave up five runs on eight hits and four walks with one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh's six-game winning streak was snapped.
The A's hit four homers, three off De Jong, who also allowed Brent Rooker's two-run shot in the eighth. Shea Langeliers hit a fastball from Keller 423 feet in to the center field bushes in the second.
PIttsburgh's Andrew McCutchen remained stuck on 1,997 hits in the majors, flying out twice and walking twice. He is 0-for-7 with five walks his past three games.
Oakland Athletics' Shea Langeliers, left, celebrates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
IT'S NOT HOW YOU START
Peterson began his night with a costly error at second base in the first. Jack Suwinski hit a routine grounder, potentially setting up an inning-ending double play, but the ball went through Peterson's legs, allowing Tucupita Marcano to score.
ROSTER MOVES
Athletics: INF Kevin Smith was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas and INF Nick Allen was optioned to Las Vegas.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller walks in the dugout after pitching in the top of the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
UP NEXT
LHP Hogan Harris (0-0, 6.97) is set to make his first start in the majors for the Athletics, closing the three-game series Wednesday opposite Pirates RHP Roansy Contreras (3-4, 4.82). Harris, a 26-year-old rookie, has allowed eight runs in 10 1/3 innings across three relief appearances this season.
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