Oakland built a four-run cushion in the first inning and looked comfortable through the middle innings. Pittsburgh had other ideas. Bryan Reynolds hit two home runs, scored three times, and went 4-for-5 to lead the Pirates back from a four-run hole in a 6-5 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park.
Reynolds was the engine of the comeback. He scored on Nick Gonzales's groundout in the fourth to get Pittsburgh on the board, then launched a solo home run to center — 408 feet — in the sixth to cut the deficit to one. Two innings later he connected again, a two-run shot to right measuring 350 feet that tied the game at five. He finished the night hitting .277 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI on the season. Brandon Lowe delivered the final blow, homering to right in the ninth — 371 feet — to give Pittsburgh the lead for good. Lowe went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts but his home run was the one that mattered. He carries a .242 average with 18 home runs and 47 RBI this season.
The Athletics had done the early damage in a hurry. In the first inning, Zack Gelof reached on an infield single, and Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, and Jacob Wilson all scored — two of them on a throwing error by Pittsburgh first baseman Spencer Horwitz. Lawrence Butler then doubled to left to score Gelof, and Oakland led 4-0 before Pittsburgh had recorded an out. Gelof added a solo home run to left in the sixth — 360 feet — to push the lead back to two after Pittsburgh had pulled within one, but the Athletics could not hold it. Gelof finished 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored, two RBI, and a home run.
Oakland starter Jack Perkins allowed 3 runs on 6 hits over 5.0 innings, striking out 6 with a 6.15 ERA. Mitch Keller started for Pittsburgh and was charged with 5 runs — 4 earned — on 5 hits over 5.1 innings, striking out 7 and walking 4 on 96 pitches. Neither starter factored in the decision. Mason Montgomery earned the win, his second of the season, with a scoreless inning of relief. Gregory Soto recorded his 11th save, retiring Oakland in the ninth after allowing two hits. Elvis Alvarado took the loss — his first of the season — after surrendering Lowe's ninth-inning home run.
Pittsburgh moved to 36-36 with the victory. Oakland fell to 35-36. Lowe is 7 RBI away from 500 for his career.