Zack Gelof hit a triple that helped the Oakland Athletics score three runs in the eighth inning, breaking a five-game losing streak with a 9-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.
The win also ended the Athletics’ 11-game losing streak on the road. They hadn’t won away from home since June 1 in Atlanta and had lost 15 of their last 18 games.
“It was a really good game,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “As an offense, we’ve relied on home runs a lot, but tonight we put together innings with walks and a couple of hits, which was nice to see.”
Gelof had a strong game, going 3 for 4 with the RBI triple, a walk, and a stolen base.
“He’s been finishing the month of June really well,” Kotsay added. Gelof’s batting average improved from .196 to .205 after tonight’s game. He hit .267 with 14 home runs as a rookie second baseman last season but has faced tougher challenges in his second year.
“We played well in all aspects tonight,” Gelof said. “It feels especially good to get a win on the road.”
Tyler Soderstrom’s home run off Ryan Thompson (3-3) in the eighth inning tied the game at 4-4. Thompson then walked rookie Armando Alvarez before Gelof hit a line drive to right-center field, driving in the go-ahead run. Max Schuemann followed with a single over shortstop Geraldo Perdomo’s head, making it 6-4.
In the ninth inning, the Athletics hit three more home runs off Brandon Hughes to secure the win. Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers hit back-to-back homers, each their 15th of the season, while Daz Cameron hit his third.
Scott Alexander (1-2) allowed a tie-breaking single to Ketel Marte in the seventh but earned the win. Mason Miller struck out two batters in the ninth inning to close out the game, although it was not a save opportunity.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit his 11th home run in the sixth inning for Arizona off JP Sears.
Arizona has now lost three consecutive games and is 1-3 on their current homestand. Diamondbacks starter Slade Cecconi threw 88 pitches over four innings, giving up three runs while striking out seven and walking two.
