Nevin homers in 2nd straight game, A’s beat Pirates 5-1

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Tyler Nevin homered for the second straight game and the Oakland Athletics beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Monday night.

Nevin added a single and a sacrifice fly as the A’s won for the fourth time in their last five games.

“When you’re feeling good, you just try to keep feeling good,” Nevin said. “I’m just trying to keep my same routine, not trying to do too much, and remembering what got me feeling good and just riding that wave.”

The Pirates had a season-low two hits while losing for the fifth time in six games.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to get out of it,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton. “We have to have more consistent at-bats."

The Pirates' first game in Oakland since 2016 was played in front of 3,528 fans. The Athletics have announced plans to play at least the next three seasons in Sacramento while their new stadium in Las Vegas is built.

Oakland starter Joe Boyle (2-4) struggled with his command, throwing just 45 of his 91 pitches for strikes, but the right-hander limited Pittsburgh to one run and one hit in five innings with four strikeouts and four walks.

“I felt good,” Boyle said. “I feel good about giving the team a chance. Stuff to work on, obviously. But we’re trending upwards, just kind of continuing improving each time.”

Boyle threw two wild pitches in the first inning, including one with the bases loaded which allowed Ke’Bryan Hayes to score the game’s first run.

Nevin tied it in the bottom of the first with his third home run of the season.

“His at-bats have been quality,” A's manager Mark Kotsay praised. “They’re professional. He grinds out at-bats. He’s got enough juice in there to hit homers, as we’ve seen the last couple of days."

Shea Langeliers and Max Schuemann hit sacrifice flies in the fourth to push Oakland's lead to 3-1.

Esteury Ruiz added an RBI double in the fifth, and then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nevin.

Pirates starter Bailey Falter (2-2) allowed five runs and six hits in five innings. He struck out five with no walks.

Oakland relievers Dany Jiménez and Michael Kelly each pitched two scoreless innings. The A’s bullpen hasn’t allowed a run in 18 1/3 innings over the last five games.

“That group has found a good rhythm,” Kotsay said. “They are throwing the ball great. It was nice to see two relievers come in and finish that off and split the back end of the game.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics 3B J.D. Davis (right adductor strain) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday, going 1 for 4 as the designated hitter. Kotsay said Davis would continue his rehab assignment with games at third base, and his status would be assessed later this week.

UP NEXT

Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (2-2, 5.14 ERA) starts Tuesday night opposite Athletics LHP Alex Wood (1-2, 6.59 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Oakland Athletics' Esteury Ruiz, right, steals third base next to Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bailey Falter reacts after Oakland Athletics' Esteury Ruiz scored during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen walks to the dugout after striking out against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics shortstop Nick Allen, right, throws to first base after forcing Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) out at second base on a double play hit into by Jared Triolo during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics' Brent Rooker (25) runs home to score during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics' Shea Langeliers breaks his bat while fouling off a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics' Ryan Noda (49) and Lawrence Butler celebrate after the Athletics defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, left, celebrates with pitcher Michael Kelly after the Athletics defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark returned to the Indiana Fever's starting lineup for the second half against the Connecticut Sun on Monday night after missing the final 5 1/2 minutes of the first half with appeared to be a lower left leg injury.

She was hurt after running into a pick with 5:37 left in the first half and stayed down, grabbing toward her lower leg.

When play stopped, the No. 1 pick from Iowa grimaced as she got up and limped toward the team’s bench before going directly into the tunnel near the team bench. Clark returned to the bench a few minutes later, warmed up with her teammates at halftime and then returned to the game.

She had eight points on 2-of-8 shooting with one 3-pointer, two rebounds and no assists before leaving.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) gestures after a three-point basket against the Connecticut Sun in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, May 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is helped to her feet by teammates forward Katie Lou Samuelson (33) and center Temi Fagbenle (14) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, May 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) grimaces after being injured in the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun in Indianapolis, Monday, May 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)