Peterson’s 2 homers assist A’s beat Pirates, finish 15-game highway skid

PITTSBURGH — Jace Peterson homered twice on a five-hit evening and drove in 5 runs, and the Oakland Athletics ended a 15-game highway shedding streak with an 11-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

The main league-worst A’s (13-50) broke open the sport late behind Peterson’s five hundredth hit within the majors, an RBI single off Pirates ace Mitch Keller that put Oakland forward 3-2 within the sixth. Peterson gave Oakland a five-run lead with a two-run homer off Chase De Jong within the eighth, then added one other two-run shot off De Jong within the ninth.

Batting within the eighth spot, Peterson completed 5-for-5, elevating his batting common from .194 to .218.

“Over the last week and a half, I feel like I’ve had good at-bats. Not technically the results that I’ve wanted, but I feel like it’s been getting better,” Peterson stated. “It’s baseball, a crazy game and a hard game. You never know what’s going to happen. It worked out tonight.”

James Kaprielian (1-6) allowed two runs on 4 hits in six innings for his first win since final Oct. 2. The A’s had not received away from Oakland since beating the Los Angeles Angels 11-10 on April 24.

“It’s competition, man. You’ve got to beat guys any way you can,” Kaprielian stated. “I beat Keller out to start playing catch. Find ways to beat guys. … I was in here, I was dressed five hours before the game. Guys looking at me like I’m a psychopath because I probably am. But we want to win.”

PHOTOS: Peterson’s 2 homers assist A’s beat Pirates, finish 15-game highway skid

Keller (7-2) gave up 5 runs on eight hits and 4 walks with one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh’s six-game successful streak was snapped.

“I just didn’t execute,” Keller stated. “It comes down to execution. I left too many pitches over the middle and they took advantage, free passes. It was not a good night.”

Keller has allowed 15 runs in his previous three begins after surrendering 17 in his first 10 this season.

“Tonight, his breaking stuff wasn’t very sharp, so he didn’t get a ton of swing and misses,” Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton stated. “On top of it, the fastball command was really inconsistent.”

The A’s hit 4 homers, three off De Jong, who additionally allowed Brent Rooker’s two-run shot within the eighth. Shea Langeliers hit a fastball from Keller 423 ft in to the middle area bushes within the second.

“This kid, Keller, has pitched great all season,” Oakland supervisor Mark Kotsay stated. “We knew what we were up against. The at-bats started out really well. We had a great plan. The offense executed their plan. … You tip your cap to the guys in that room for executing the plan.”

Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen remained caught on 1,997 hits within the majors, flying out twice and strolling twice. He is 0-for-7 with 5 walks his previous three video games.

IT’S NOT HOW YOU START

Peterson started his evening with a expensive error at second base within the first. Jack Suwinski hit a routine grounder, probably establishing an inning-ending double play, however the ball went by way of Peterson’s legs, permitting Tucupita Marcano to attain.

“When I got into the dugout, I told (Kaprielian), ‘I’m going to get you four hits tonight,’” Peterson stated. “It just really made me mad.”

ROSTER MOVES

Athletics: INF Kevin Smith was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas and INF Nick Allen was optioned to Las Vegas.

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