Offense shows up as Athletics top Pirates 5-1

A strong game all around from the good guys

The Athletics one-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates in a strong win on Monday night, coming out on top by a final of 5-1 in a great all-around win for the young club.

Boyle starts slow, finishes strong

The A’s sent right-hander Joe Boyle to the mound to start the series and it was a bit of a shaky start for the rookie. The Pirates got to him in the very first inning as he allowed a hit, two walks and two wild pitches, the second of which allowed a run to score. To say he didn’t have command in the first inning would be an understatement.

And then it was the exact opposite the rest of the game. After his tough first inning Boyle was nails for the Green & Gold. He allowed a couple more walks over his next four innings of work but he didn’t let the Pirates get anything close to a rally going all evening, keeping them off balance while collecting four strikeouts. To say he bounced back from his tough start would be an understatement.

-Joe Boyle: 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 K, 91 pitches

Though he clearly didn’t have his best stuff tonight Boyle battled through the command issues and gave the club five solid innings. After he only made it through three last time out, tonight’s start is a welcome boost for a bullpen that has been getting a lot of innings in already so far this season.

Athletics bats show up

While Boyle allowed a quick run to Pittsburgh, the club picked him up by scoring a quick first inning run of their own, courtesy of new guy Tyler Nevin and his second home run of the season:

Expectations were low for Nevin after he was brought aboard but he’s out to a hot start with the club and might actually be playing himself into more regular playing time if he keeps this up. Who knows in baseball?

Oakland added on a couple more in the fourth thanks to a pair of RBI sacrifice flies that gave the A’s a 3-1 lead, but the club really put some distance between them and the Pirates in the next inning when Esteury Ruiz pulled an RBI double to left field to score one and Nevin brought Ruiz home soon after:

Bullpen deals

Once Joe Boyle’s day was done, it was right-hander Dany Jimenez who was first out of Mark Kotsay’s bullpen. He did his job and then some, going two strong innings with just one walk allowed and two punch outs. He was followed by fellow righty Michael Kelly who matched Jimenez in innings and finished this game out, allowing only a ninth inning single but inducing a groundball double play to end the game.

Make that two in a row for the Athletics as they have now also won four of their past five games and are vibing right now. Boyle settled down after a tough first inning to deliver a quality start for his team. The offense backed him up with five runs, and probably could have cashed in more with more timely hitting. And the two arms out of the bullpen Dany Jimenez and Michael Kelly both delivered great appearances for the good guys.

The club will now try to secure a series win and make it three in a row tomorrow evening against these same Pirates. Left-hander Alex Wood is set to face Pittsburgh’s best starter in Mitch Keller, though he hasn’t gotten out to the hottest start. Should be another good one!