Esteury Ruiz hit a home run for the second time in three games since returning from Triple-A, helping the Oakland Athletics win 6-3 against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday and avoid a sweep.
Ruiz contributed two RBIs, scored twice, and stole a base. He has hit two home runs in seven at-bats since coming back from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
“It feels great,” Ruiz said. “To keep hitting like I did in Triple-A and then bring that success here feels amazing. Who wouldn’t want to feel like that? It feels awesome.”
The game had a crowd of 9,551 spectators, with a total of 18,355 fans attending the three-game series. The A’s, planning to play in Sacramento from 2025-27 while a new stadium is constructed in Las Vegas, have had an average attendance of 6,244 in their first 13 home games.
Tyler Nevin added three hits and an RBI as Oakland improved to 4-9 at home. Iván Herrera drove in two runs for the Cardinals, who are now 0-6 in series finales this season.
“It’s frustrating,” said St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol. “You want to win that one, sweep, and go home feeling good for an off-day. (We) hit some balls hard, but they got caught, we just didn’t produce enough offense to give ourselves a chance today.”
Willson Contreras extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games with two hits and an RBI. He has reached base safely in 23 consecutive games dating back to last season.
A’s starter Paul Blackburn allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings, ending a streak of 22 1/3 scoreless innings. Despite giving up six hits and five walks, Blackburn (2-0) earned his second win, recording a season-high seven strikeouts.
“It was one of those days when I didn’t feel like I had much, including command,” Blackburn said. “But I kept us in it, the offense came through, and we got to win. Anytime you win, it’s a good outing.”
Ruiz’s two-run homer gave Oakland a 2-0 lead in the third inning. St. Louis responded with three runs in the fourth, with Contreras doubling home a run and Herrera hitting a two-run single to put the Cardinals ahead.
