OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Geraldo Perdomo hit a two-run homer in the second inning and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. added a two-run shot in the third to back Merrill Kelly's third straight winning decision as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Oakland Athletics 5-2 on Monday night.
The A’s drew an announced crowd of 2,064, their smallest for a home game fans were allowed to attend since drawing 1,037 against Texas on Sept. 19, 1979.
Arizona (24-18) moved six games over .500 for the first time since finishing the 2019 season at 85-77. Ketel Marte singled in the fourth to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, while Kelly (4-3) struck out nine pitching into the eighth and is unbeaten in four starts since a loss to San Diego on April 22.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was ejected in the eighth by first base umpire Brock Ballou for arguing a check swing. Bench coach Jeff Banister took over and Oakland had the tying run at the plate later in the inning against Miguel Casto, after he took over when Kelly allowed a leadoff walk and Nick Allen's single, but got out of it.
Former A's reliever Andrew Chafin finished for his sixth save.
The D-backs jumped on A's starter Drew Rucinski (0-4), who matched his season high with five walks in just his fifth career start. Oakland's night was highlighted by Jace Peterson's home run leading off the eighth and Esteury Ruiz's RBI single in the third.
Corbin Carroll added a sacrifice fly for Arizona, which won its fourth straight after a three-game losing streak and built some momentum following three straight comeback wins at home against the San Francisco Giants.
The A's, whose 9-34 record is the worst in the MLB, earlier in the day announced an agreement with Bally’s and Gaming & Leisure Properties and plans to build a ballpark on the Tropicana hotel site along the Las Vegas Strip.
LOVULLO REFLECTS
Lovullo became somewhat nostalgic being back at the Coliseum, remembering fondly his chance to get back to the majors with Oakland under manager Art Howe in 1996.
“Every time I come back here it's kind of a soft spot for me, I like playing in this stadium, there was tremendous fan support,” Lovullo said. “And Art Howe was a good man and gave me an opportunity to get back to the big leagues, I'll never forget that. I had a great time here. I had almost a full year here. I'll never forget that. The thing I'll remember most is that big thing was being built in center field, Mt. Davis was being built and we had to start the season in Las Vegas.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Diamondbacks: 1B Christian Walker got a day off as Lovullo aims to find some rest days for his regulars. ... RHP Zach Davies (strained left oblique) threw 52 pitches over four innings in an extended spring training game and reported feeling great. He's likely to make at least one more appearance or pitch in a minor league game.
Athletics: OF Seth Brown, recovering from a strained left oblique that has sidelined him since April 9, will head back out on a rehab assignment — this time to Class-A Stockton to play designated hitter on Thursday and in the outfield Friday. He had played one game at Las Vegas but felt some discomfort on a swing and returned to the Bay Area over the weekend to be examined and go through workouts the past two days. ... RHP Paul Blackburn (torn right middle fingernail) threw 41 pitches at Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and manager Mark Kotsay received positive reports. Blackburn will pitch again for Las Vegas later in the week.
ROSTER MOVE
Oakland reinstated RHP Adrián Martínez from the 15-day injured list and optioned RHP Zach Neal to Las Vegas.
UP NEXT
LHP Tommy Henry (1-1, 4.43 ERA) pitches Tuesday night for the Diamondbacks in his first career start against any AL West opponent, and the A's counter with fellow lefty Kyle Muller (1-3, 7.34).
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