OAKLAND, Calif.—Tyler Nevin homered for the second straight game as the Oakland Athletics beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5–1 on Monday night.
Nevin added a single and a sacrifice fly as the A’s won for the fourth time in their past five games.
“When you’re feeling good, you just try to keep feeling good,” Nevin said. “I’m just trying to keep my same routine, not trying to do too much, and remembering what got me feeling good, and just riding that wave.”
The Pirates had a season-low two hits while losing for the fifth time in six games, including two of three over the weekend in San Francisco.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to get out of it,” Pittsburgh Manager Derek Shelton said. “We have to have more consistent at-bats.”
The Pirates’ first game in Oakland since 2016 was played in front of 3,528 fans. The A’s have announced plans to play at least the next three seasons in Sacramento while their new stadium in Las Vegas is being built.
Oakland starter Joe Boyle (2–4) struggled with his command, throwing just 45 of his 91 pitches for strikes, but the right-hander limited Pittsburgh to one run and one hit in five innings. He struck out four and walked four.
“I felt good,” Boyle said. “I feel good about giving the team a chance. Stuff to work on, obviously. But we’re trending upwards, just kind of continuing improving each time.”
Boyle threw two wild pitches in the first inning, including one with the bases loaded, which allowed Ke’Bryan Hayes to score the game’s first run.
Nevin tied it in the bottom of the first with his third home run of the season.
“His at-bats have been quality,” A’s Manager Mark Kotsay said. “They’re professional. He grinds out at-bats. He’s got enough juice in there to hit homers, as we’ve seen the last couple of days.”
Shea Langeliers and Max Schuemann each hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth to push Oakland’s lead to 3–1.
Esteury Ruiz added an RBI double in the fifth, and then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nevin.
Pirates starter Bailey Falter (2–2) allowed five runs and six hits in five innings. He struck out five, with no walks.
Oakland relievers Dany Jiménez and Michael Kelly each pitched two scoreless innings. The A’s bullpen hasn’t allowed a run in 18 1/3 innings over the past five games.
