Nick Ahmed homered and had five RBIs, Luke Weaver pitched five effective innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks stretched their winning streak to six games with a 10-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.
The Diamondbacks put the game out of reach right away, batting around each of the first two innings to complete their first undefeated homestand since Aug. 25-31, 2017.
Ahmed hit a three-run homer off Frankie Montas (2-2) in the first inning and had a two-run single in the second. Kole Calhoun also homered off Montas and Weaver (1-4) allowed a run on three hits, retiring the final 10 batters he faced.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Luke Weaver delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics' during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoDarryl Webb)
The A's had four hits — one after the second inning — and struck out 13 times.
The right-handed Weaver has struggled to start his second season in the desert, allowing at least four earned runs in three of his four starts. He was on a tight pitch count (3 1/3 innings) the last time out in attempt the limit the potential for blowup.
Weaver worked out of a jam in the first inning, but pitched so well manager Torey Lovullo left him on the mound to earn his first win. He struck out six.
Oakland Athletics' Frankie Montas delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoDarryl Webb)
Montas was scratched from his last start Friday against San Francisco and had not pitched since Aug. 8 against Houston.
The right-hander had control issues coming off the long layoff, uncorking a wild pitch for the game's first run and walking three in the first inning. Ahmed's homer put Arizona up 5-0.
Montas gave up a leadoff homer to Calhoun in the second inning and was lifted after his fourth walk loaded the bases with two outs. Ahmed greeted Lou Trivino with a two-run single to put the Diamondbacks up 8-1.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker rounds third base against the Oakland Athletics' during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoDarryl Webb)
Montas allowed nine runs on six hits.
TRAINING TABLE
A's: LHP A.J. Puk will likely need a couple more bullpens before facing live hitters as he tries to return from a shoulder injury. He threw 30-pitch bullpen at the club's alternate site Monday and is scheduled to throw again Wednesday.
Diamondbacks: OF/INF Ketel Marte was given the day off. ... 3B Jake Lamb took a bad-hop shot to the neck on a ball hit by Stephen Piscotty to third in the second inning, but stayed in the game.
UP NEXT
A's: LHP Jesus Luzardo (1-0, 4.79 ERA) will start Wednesday's series opener at home against Arizona after allowing six runs in 3 1/3 innings against San Francisco his last start.
Diamondbacis: RHP Merrill Kelly (3-1, 1.71) has allowed one run in 12 2/3 innings his past two starts heading into Wednesday's game.
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