Pirates Held to 2 Hits, 1 After 1st Inning in Loss to A’s

OAKLAND — It was the same song and dance for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

The team just couldn’t get much done offensively in a 5-1 loss to the Oakland A’s at the Coliseum in the opening game of a three-game set. 

Ke’Bryan Hayes led off the game with a single, and that would end up being the Pirates’ lone hit until there was one out in the top of the ninth. Oneil Cruz singled but was erased on a game-ending double play off the bat of Andrew McCutchen. 

Pittsburgh’s starting pitcher, Bailey Falter, had his worst start since his first one of the season which took place way back March 31 in Miami. 

The night got off to a promising enough start.

The Pirates drew first blood in the first inning, when Joe Boyle threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded and two outs that scored Hayes. 

The A’s tied it in their half of the first on a solo shot by Tyler Nevin. 

Oakland’s offense broke through for two runs in the fourth on sacrifice flies by Shea Langeliers and Max Schuemann.

The A’s got two more in the fifth. An Esteury Ruiz double made it 4-1, then Ruiz stole third with one out. That gave him the chance to come home on a sac fly by Nevin.

Boyle’s (2-4) day ended after five innings. He allowed one run on one hit, walking four and striking out four. Falter’s (2-2) day also ended after five. He gave up five runs– all earned– on six hits, walking none, striking out five and allowing a homer. 

The Pirates are now 14-16 and have lost 14 of their last 19. The team’s now 1-3 on this Bay Area road trip that started with three weekend games in San Francisco. 

Up Next

The Bucs will look to even things up in the middle game on Tuesday scheduled for 6:40 ET. Mitch Keller (2-2, 5.14 ERA) will get the ball opposite Alex Wood (1-2, 6.59 ERA).