River Cats survive late error, walk off Aviators 4-3 to snap four-game slide

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The Sacramento Rivercats celebrate the winning walk off run on a Las Vegas Aviators error at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (@RiverCats photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–The River Cats walked off the Las Vegas Aviators on a bizarre play to cap off a thriller, and to snap their four-game losing streak 4-3.

Patrick Sanders took the ball for Sacramento, and he was rudely welcomed, as the second batter of the game, Trenton Brooks, hit a home run to right to put the Aviators on the board early. Sanders then gave up a base-hit to Jordan Diaz, and got Cody Thomas to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Sanders walked Tyler Soderstrom to start the second, and escaped the inning thanks to a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Conner Capel, which would do it for his night.

Kyle Muller made the start for Las Vegas, as he pitched through a jam in the bottom of the first, and he pitched through a two-out single in the second. Muller got Bryce Johnson to ground out to third to start the bottom of the third, but Luis Matos then hit a towering home run to left-center to tie the game.

Chris Wright followed Sanders for the River Cats, and pitched through a one-out single in the top of the third, but ran into trouble in the fourth. Cody Thomas singled with one out, stole second and scored on a double off the bat of Soderstrom to put the Aviators right back ahead. Wright struck out Garcia, and walked Capel, which led Wright to be pulled for Tanner Andrews, who struck out Zack Gelof to end the inning.

Muller set down the River Cats 1-2-3 in the bottom of the fourth, and got Bryce Johnson to fly out to right to start the bottom of the fifth. Luis Matos then hit a towering double off the wall in left-center; advanced to third on an infield hit off the bat of Tyler Fitzgerald; and scored on a base-hit by David Villar.

Andrews pitched a 1-2-3 top of the sixth, and got Capel to pop out to third to start the seventh, but he was pulled after giving up singles to Gelof and Yohel Pozo. The left-hander, Joey Marciano, then came in, and he hit Tyler Wade to load the bases with one out. Marciano was on the ropes, but he then struck out Brooks and Diaz to get out of the inning with the game still tied.

Chad Smith, who followed Muller with a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth, gave up a home run to Will Wilson that just got out just to the left of straightaway center on the first pitch of the bottom of the seventh, which gave the River Cats their first lead of the night. Marciano and Erik Miller then combined to strike out the side in a 1-2-3 top of the eighth.

The River Cats threatened to break the game open against Aviators’ right-hander, Norge Ruiz, in the bottom of the eighth, but were unable to extend their lead, which sent the game to the ninth with the River Cats up 3-2.

Miller came back out for the ninth, and on a 2-2 count, got Capel to hit a routine fly ball to left, which was dropped by Shane Matheny, who had come in for Will Wilson for defense. Miller was then clearly rattled, as he walked Gelof on four pitches. Miller got Pozo to hit a chopper back to the mound for the first out, but that also advanced the runners to second and third.

That brought up the top of the order in Tyler Wade, who hit a ground ball to River Cats’ second-baseman, Brett Wisely, who was playing in; Wisely then threw home, but Joey Bart was unable to come up with the ball, and Capel scored the tying run. Miller then got out of the inning without further trouble, and the game was tied going to the bottom of the ninth.

Garrett Acton then came in for the Aviators, and walked Bryce Johnson on four pitches to start the bottom of the ninth. Luis Matos then played some old-school baseball, and laid down a sacrifice bunt to get Johnson to second. It was then up to Tyler Fitzgerald, who hit a high fly ball to left-center; Aviators’ center-fielder, Conner Capel, had the ball in his glove, but left-fielder, Cody Thomas, ran into Capel and knocked it out of his hand; Johnson had gone towards third, turned around and headed back towards second, but came in to score once the ball was dropped to win it for the River Cats. The play was ruled an error on Thomas—E7—due to an official scoring rule, which gives an error to a fielder, who in the act of colliding with another fielder, knocks the ball out of the other fielder’s hand.

Erik Miller ended up with the win to improve to 1-0, and Acton got the loss to fall to 5-2. This win snapped a four-game losing streak for the River Cats, who improve to 27-33, but remain in last place and seven games behind the first-place Reno Aces in the Pacific Coast League West.

As for Joey Bart, who is still on his rehab assignment, he went 0-for-4 with a hat trick. His third strikeout marked his eighth in 11 plate appearances.

Game 4 of the series will be tomorrow night at 6:45, as Kyle Harrison will take the mound for the River Cats.

Aces snap seven game win streak to Sun 94-77

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The Connecticut Aces Dewanna Bonner (24) takes a shot against the Las Vegas Aces at Mehegan Sun Arena in Montville CT on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (@espnW image)

Aces Drop First Game of the Season to Connecticut 94-77

By Barbara Mason

Thursday and the Las Vegas Aces (7-1) faced the Connecticut Sun (7-2) for a second game of this two game series. The Sun came out in this game the way that the Aces came out in their game Tuesday. They jumped all over Las Vegas and after the first quarter Connecticut had a 26-15 lead.

At the half the Sun extended their lead winning the second quarter 17-13. The half time score was 43-28 in favor of the Sun. Connecticut had incredible energy to start the game and they did not let down and ended the Aces seven game win streak 94-77.

Last Tuesday the Aces barely got past the Sun in a re-match of last years championship game. The Sun had an incredible second half after trailing 48-31 at halftime. The Aces had to pull out all the stops to get past Connecticut 90-84.

Thursday game wrap up: DeWanna Bonner was having an incredible game and the Aces had no answer. Bonner had 29 points going into the fourth quarter. The Sun kept their foot on the pedal leading after three quarters 64-52. The Aces were turning the ball over the likes that the Aces have not seen from this team with 18.

As the fourth quarter got underway it became obvious that there would be no stopping Bonner who finished with 41 points the 36 year-old’s career high. Las Vegas was playing from behind for the entire game. The Sun outplayed the Aces in the paint and most importantly on the defensive side of the ball. At times the Aces were struggling to keep up with the Sun who dominated.

The Sun brought the heat in this game and the Aces were lukewarm at best. This loss was their first this season; their season record is 7-1. After Connecticut’s loss last Tuesday it was a given that they would come into this game with a new resolve, and the Aces saw that from the start of the game and they never let down once.

This loss was a bit of a shocker. It was without a doubt the worst performance of the season for Las Vegas. The Aces lost in rough fashion by 17 points.

Sunday the Aces will be back on the court taking on the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Las Vegas will be looking to get back to business, back to what they do so well and that is winning. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

A’s off day report: Both on the field and potential move to Las Vegas updates

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Hogan Harris delivers during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have a travel day this Thursday. The team is going to Milwaukee to play the Brewers for three games. Milwaukee is the last stop on the nine-game road trip. The A’s are 2-4 so far on the trip. The A’s won the last two games of the three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The offense woke up as the A’s put eleven runs on the board Tuesday night and nine on Wednesday. The A’s will want a win on Friday to give them their first three-game win streak of the season.

The Brewers are currently in first place in the NL Central Division with a record of 34-28. The Brewers own a game and 1/2 lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Craig Counsell manages Milwaukee.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay has announced his starters for the three-game set. On Friday, Luis Medina will pitch for the A’s. Medina is still looking for his first win of the year. Medina is 0-6. His ERA is 8.19. The Brewers starter will be Adrian Houser (2-1. 3.45 ERA.

Paul Blackburn will go for the A’s on Saturday. Blackburn is 0-0, and his ERA is 6.00. Julio Teheran (1-2, 1.45 ERA) will be on the hill for Milwaukee.

Lefty J.P. Sears (0-3, 4.20) will handle the pitching chores for Oakland on Sunday. The Brewers’ starter will be Freddy Peralta (5-5, 4.55 ERA).

The Brewers’ biggest name is Christian Yellich. Yellich was the MVP in 2018. Since that year, Yellich has never had the great success that he had that year. Currently, Yellich is hitting .257 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs.

Another key player, catcher William Contreras is out of action until next Wednesday. The Brewers acquired Contreras in the three-team trade, resulting in A’s catcher Sean Murphy going to the Braves, Esteury Ruiz and Kyle Muller, and two other Braves players coming to the A’s.

Other Key players for Milwaukee are first baseman Rowdy Tellez, second baseman Owen Miller, and shortstop Willy Adames. The Brew Crew’s designated hitter is Jesse Winker. Winker, who was with Seattle last year, is not producing for the Brewers. Winker is hitting. 204 with no home runs and 13 RBIs. Milwaukee’s best pitcher Corbin Burnes, the Cy Young Award winner two years ago, will not face the A’s this weekend.

The A’s, as mentioned above, have won two straight games. The players and coaching staff know all the news about the possible move to Las Vegas. People must realize that most players and coaching staff live outside the Bay Area. Players are paid mercenaries. They sign a contract for a specific time, and if not re-signed by their current team, they are free to play elsewhere.

The situation in Oakland has to be hard for the A’s players. They would love to play before large home crowds. It must be disheartening to have a big night and not see fans in the stadium. The A’s have had so many crowds, with less than 5000 fans in the seats. The fans that are there love the Green and Gold and are loyal. They are angry at the owner John Fisher, who won’t pay for players. The A’s traded away several stars last before the start of the 2022 season.

Then the club raised ticket prices. In their 56 seasons in Oakland, the A’s have won six AL Pennants, four World Series titles, and numerous division crowns. The people, if they feel they have an owner that will commit to building a winning franchise and spend the money to make the dream happen, will fill the seats in the Coliseum.

As of this writing, the Nevada Legislature has yet to vote on the A’s proposal to move to Las Vegas. If the legislature votes to approve the spending measure, the A’s will be gone. A no vote means the A’s will have to seek other options. It might mean going back to negotiations with the city of Oakland. It might mean John Fisher will have to sell the club. It might mean the A’s will relocate to another city.

The players must wear their uniforms daily and give the team 100% effort. Mark Kotsay has done a great job in not letting the club get discouraged by its poor performance so far this year. Let’s hope things will improve on the field, despite anything else happening.

Giants Sweep Colorado In Another Come From Behind Win 6-4

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San Francisco Giants third base coach Mark Hallberg and Thairo Estrada celebrate a home run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Sweep Colorado In Another Come From Behind Win 6-4

By Barbara Mason

Thursday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (32-30) got a sweep over the Colorado Rockies (26-38) taking the third and final game 6-4 at Coors Field in Denver.

On Tuesday the Giants won game one handily 10-4 and on Wednesday they had a come from behind to win it in the eighth inning 5-4 in game two. Finally the Giants have a healthy roster with two key players back in Joc Pederson and Thairo Estrada. Thursday San Francisco finished up this series with a sweep of Colorado.

Thursday game recap: San Francisco’s Thairo Estrada homered in the first inning for the 1-0 lead; it was a solo shot to left field.

The Rockies answered back in the same inning scoring four runs. Ryan McMahon singled driving in a run followed by a Nolan Jones single which got two runners across home plate giving Colorado a 3-1 lead. Ezequel Tovar doubled a run home and after the opening inning had a 4-1 lead.

It was quiet for San Francisco into the sixth inning. Michael Conforto hit a 2-run home run and this game was looking just like yesterday’s contest, trailing by a single run in the latter innings 4-3.

In the ninth inning, the Giants tied up the game 4-4 going on to take the lead 6-4. Brandon Crawford doubled and Blake Sabol scored to tie things up. Yastrzemski scored when LaMonte Wade Jr. sacrificed and Joc Pederson singled bringing Crawford home.

After trailing 4-1 in this game San Francisco rallied to take the 6-4 lead. The Giants were three outs away from the sweep. The pinch hitting was huge for San Francisco in this game as they celebrated a second come from behind win in as many days.

When things looked a bit grim, this ball club got it together in the ninth inning. You just cannot count this team out. It was not the greatest start for pitcher Alex Cobb who went five innings allowing 8 hits and four runs. He settled down in the next four innings and his team mates picked up the slack to end this game in the win column.

What is so encouraging for San Francisco is that they are winning late in the game. This has not been the case this season so something else is really turning around for the Giants right now.

The Giants did it all in this game; relief pitching, efficient innings, great hitting (especially pinch hitting) and defensively. This was a gut-punch for the Rockies after they had led into the latter innings only for the Giants to tie and win in not only today’s game but also yesterday’s game. This was the 8th consecutive win against the Rockies at Coors Field.

San Francisco will now head home for a series with the Chicago Cubs (26-35). Anthony Desclafani will take the mound for the Giants with a 4-5 W/L record and a 3.97 ERA. The Cubs will send Marcus Stroman with a 6-4 win/loss record and a 2.39 ERA. This game will get underway Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Panthers on the ropes 0-2 host Knights in game 3 tonight

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Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) scores around Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the second period at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Mon Jun 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Len:

#1 Len through the first two games of these Finals the Vegas Golden Knights have dominated with wins in games 1 and 2 on Vegas home ice. How important has goaltender Adin Hill been for the Knights.

#2 In the most recent game, game 2 the Vegas Golden Knights came away with a five goal win 7-2. The Knights showed all the signs of being in control from the start and the Panthers just couldn’t get any defense to stop the Knights.

#3 The Panthers who over came the odds in the first round of the playoffs overcoming the Boston Bruins from a 1-3 deficit to coming back and winning the series and winning the next two rounds to advance to the Finals can the Panthers find something deep down and pick up a win on Florida ice?

#4 The Knights who won 5-2 and 7-2 in games 1 and 2 are the first team in 25 years of NHL finals to show that no other team has been so dominate.

#5 So the Knights who have the upper hand get after it tonight in game 3 up 2-0 and can take game three or the Panthers really have to find the back of the net and often and get some great netminding from Panther goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

Len Shapiro covers the NHL Stanley Cup Finals for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Nevada Legislature takes vote tonight on A’s ballpark

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From left, lobbyists Alfredo Alonso and John Griffin, Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher, President Dave Kaval and lobbyist Jessica Ferrato inside the Legislature in Carson City on May 31, 2023. (Nevada Independent photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry the Nevada State Legislature met until midnight last night discussing the SB509 the public funds from the State to fund the possible Tropicana ballpark in Las Vegas. There are residents who voiced their opposition to the ballpark because they feel the A’s might not be the right team for Las Vegas and that maybe expansion or the Tampa Bay Rays might be a better option.

#2 Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has called his second special session to push for the Tropicana ballpark. The bill didn’t get pushed through on Monday night and had been in a second special session for the last two night Tuesday and Wednesday. As of midnight last night nothing has been decided. The Legislature will take a vote tonight on the ballpark bill where the future of the A’s moving to Las Vegas is on the line.

#3 A’s team president David Kaval was put in a spot when asked about the team paying and being obligated to pay the entertainment tax. Kaval was told by assemblyman questioning him that he was answering a direct question when Kaval said the A’s would pay the entertainment tax through profits from the ballpark but would not make a commitment.

#4 The fact that there still is no decision on the A’s Las Vegas ballpark and it’s Thursday does that basically say that Lombardo who wants a budget passed needs to get the ballpark through for this session and the legislature is trying to sell those who are opposed reasons to try and change their minds.

#5 Las Vegas residents who spoke at last night’s session emphasized that 81% of Las Vegas residents polled are against the Oakland A’s moving to Vegas and that John Fisher and David Kaval are not the right people to lead this campaign and that the legislature should vote no on funding the ballpark.

Join Jerry F for the Oakland A’s podcasts heard Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants make comeback with Slater’s RBIs in 7th and 8th defeat Rocks 5-4

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San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers works against the Colorado Rockies during the eighth inning at Coors Field in Denver on Wed Jun 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The Rockies got on the board in the second inning taking a 3-0 lead. Ezequiel Tovar singled Mike Moustakas home. Colorado would add to that lead in the second when power hitter Charlie Blackmon doubled driving Harold Castro and Tovar home for the 3-0 lead.

#2 Michael talk about Austin Slater and how vital he was driving in RBIs in the seventh and eighth innings.

#3 For the Giants Slater’s RBIs were crucial as they just got by the Rockies by a run 5-4 in a game of inches. How tough is it to hit in Coors Field.

#4 The Giants on Tuesday night had been held to no hits until the sixth inning so they made improvements on their hitting on Wednesday night.

#5 The Giants conclude this three game series in Denver against the Rockies and with a chance to sweep the series the Giants will start Alex Cobb (5-2 ERA 2.71) he’ll be opposed by the Rockies Chase Anderson (0-0 ERA 1.69) with a 12:10 pm PT first pitch.

Join Michael Duca for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: PGA Commissioner on hot seat; Miami’s Butler “winning would mean everything”; plus more

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 PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during a news conference before the start of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Cromwell, Conn. Monahan was questioned by PGA players Tue Jun 6, 2023 in a heated meeting regarding merging the PGA with LIV the Saudi golf league without consulting the PGA players (AP file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Many of the players in the PGA had no idea about the PGA-LIV merge and that a deal had been made without the players knowledge.

#2 A lot of the players are calling for new leadership after PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan agreed to a deal with LIV the Saudi golf league to merge. The PGA players have a huge problem with LIV because of it’s human rights violations and taking away many of it’s stars.

#3 The Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler says that winning the NBA Finals would mean everything, this is Butler’s 12th NBA season Butler says his teammates are locked on. The Heat who dropped game 1 of the Finals came back and tied the series in game 2 in Denver. The Heat dropped game 3 and the Nuggets reclaimed the lead in the series 2-1 with a 109-94 victory on Wednesday.

#4 New York is suffering smoky conditions as smoke from the Canadian fires have floated into the Big Apple and had an impact on the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees game on Tuesday night. For Yankee third baseman Josh Donaldson said that it was a little foggy but nothing out of the ordinary.

#5 Jessica, game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals are Thursday night in Sunrise Florida. The Panthers have their backs to the wall down 0-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights losing both games 1 and 2 in Vegas. The Panthers have been here before they were down in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Bruins 3-1 and came back from two games down. How do you see the Panthers chances going back to Florida Thursday night?

Join Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday night at http://www.sportsraadioservice.com

San Francisco Comes From Behind To Beat Rockies in Game Two 5-4

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey, left, and right fielder Michael Conforto celebrate the team’s win in a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Denver. (AP News photo)

San Francisco Comes From Behind To Beat Rockies in Game Two 5-4

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday the San Francisco Giants (30-30) took game three of the game series with the Colorado Rockies (26-36) 5-4 at Coors Field in Denver taking the first two games of the series.

They handled the Rockies in game one winning 10-4 on Tuesday night getting back to .500. Rookie Patrick Bailey had a great game with three hits and LaMonte Wade Jr. went 3 for 3.

The Giants saw the return of Joc Pederson and Thairo Estrade from IR. Estrada had two doubles and Pederson singled and scored in the five-run fifth inning. Their return was exactly what the team needed in their lineup.

Wednesday night the Giants were looking to take game two in the series. With the return of Estrada and Pederson, they had some added fire power going forward looking for a second win in the series.

The Rockies got on the board in the second inning taking a 3-0 lead. Ezequiel Tovar singled Mike Moustakas home. Colorado would add to that lead in the second when power hitter Charlie Blackmon doubled driving Harold Castro and Tovar home for the 3-0 lead.

In the sixth inning Nolan Jones solo homered to right center to take a 4-0 Colorado lead. San Francisco had been quiet through the first six innings of the game.

The silence came to an end for the Giants in the seventh inning when they scored three runs and they were back in this game. Austin Slater singled and Michael Conforto scored from second base. Casey Schmitt singled and both Mitch Haniger and Blake Slater scored. The Giants now trailed by a single run 4-3.

The Rockies had two on base in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, threatening to extend their lead. Relief pitcher Taylor Rogers took care of business and Colorado left the inning with two runners stranded on base.

San Francisco needed some offense in this game and they had two innings left to make a move. Pederson walked and Mitch Haniger was hit in the eighth inning. The Giants now had two runners on base with one out.

Slater singled and Pederson scored tying up the game 4-4 and with only the one out, San Francisco had a great opportunity to take the lead for the first time in this game. The Giants took full advantage of this opportunity. Bailey executed a perfect bunt and he had put the Giants ahead 5-4 when Haniger was able to score from third.

After trailing 4-0 the Giants had come to life taking the 5-4 lead. An extra run in the ninth inning would be huge for San Francisco. The Giants began crushing grounders and with two runners on base and no outs they had a great chance to add to their lead.

The Rockies made some great defensive plays and got out of the inning. They would be looking for the walk-off in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Giants needed to protect their lead for their second win in the series.

Closer Camilo Doval finished off the Rockies with a three up three out inning and the Giants came away with the come from behind win 5-4.

The Giants will finish up this series Thursday afternoon with first pitch at 12:10 PM. Alex Cobb will take the mound for San Francisco with a 5-2 W/L record and a 2.71 ERA. Chase Anderson 0-0 will be on the hill for the Rockies with a 1.69 ERA.

A’s Beat Pirates 9-5 for Second Straight Win

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Oakland Athletics’ Jace Peterson doubles off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras, driving in two runs, during the first inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Wed Jun 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics concluded a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Thursday. The A’s looked to win two games in a row and hung on to beat the Pirates 9-5 in the series finale. With the win, Oakland improved to 14-50 and Pittsburgh dropped to 32-29.

The A’s starting lineup consisted of Ryan Noda, Seth Brown, Brent Rooker, Ramón Laureano, Jace Peterson, Jonah Bride, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, Kevin Smith, and Hogan Harris. Harris pitched for five innings and gave up four hits, three earned runs, three walks, two strikeouts, and one home run before exiting the game.

The A’s jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Brent Rooker singled on a line drive to Ji-Hwan Bae, and Ryan Noda scored for a 1-0 lead as Seth Brown went to third base. Jace Peterson doubled on a ground ball to Connor Joe, and Brown scored for a 3-0 lead as Ramón Laureano went to third base.

Jonah Bride singled on a line drive to Bae, and Laureano scored for a 4-0 lead as Peterson went to third base. JJ Bleday singled on a line drive to Bryan Reynolds, and Peterson scored for a 5-0 lead as Bride went to second base. Noda walked, and Bride scored for a 6-0 lead as Bleday went to third base and Kevin Smith went to second base. Brown walked, and Bleday scored for a 7-0 lead as Smith went to third base and Noda went to second base.

The Pirates avoided being shutout by the A’s in the bottom of the second inning. Rodolfo Castro homered on a fly ball to center field to cut the A’s lead to 7-1.

The Pirates added two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rodolfo Castro doubled on a fly ball to JJ Bleday, and Carlos Santana and Ke’Bryan Hayes scored to cut the A’s lead to 7-3.

The A’s extended their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Ryan Noda homered on a fly ball to left field for an 8-3 lead. Brent Rooker doubled on a sharp line drive to Bryan Reynolds, and Seth Brown scored for a 9-3 lead.

The Pirates scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Connor Joe walked, and Jason Delay scored to cut the A’s lead to 9-4 as Andrew McCutchen went to third base and Bryan Reynolds went to second base.

The Pirates inched closer to the A’s in the bottom of the ninth inning, but that’s all she wrote. Bryan Reynolds singled on a line drive to Ramón Laureano, and Ji-Hwan Bae scored to cut the A’s lead to 9-5 as Andrew McCutchen went to second base.

The A’s will take on the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Friday, June 9 at 5:10 pm Pacific.