Nick Kurtz Goes Deep Twice as A's Roar Past Pirates 11-2

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Lawrence Butler and Jeff McNeil have been searching for their swings — and some luck — this season.

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Butler's luck started to change in Las Vegas last week, going 6-for-16 (.375) with a big go-ahead home run.

On Monday night, Butler reached on a grounder to first that caused Spencer Horwitz to make the throw to the pitcher covering first from his backside. The throw went wide, and Butler was able to reach first on what was deemed a single. Not only did he avoid an out, but he walked away with a hit to show for it — exactly the kind of break that had been eluding him all season.

McNeil started off with an RBI single, then — with Butler aboard — followed that up with a two-run homer to put the A's up 5-1. Butler wasn't done, adding an RBI double in the seventh to finish 2-for-4. McNeil's RBI single snapped an 0-for-20 streak that was on his mind. He said postgame, "It's been awhile. It's no secret I knew...that one felt really good." He'd finish with a season-high four RBI. 

Zack Gelof has been on a tear over the past two-plus weeks, and he extended his hit streak to 19 games — currently the longest hit streak in baseball — with an RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth inning. 

Henry Bolte doubled in the bottom of the second inning, and used his speed to come around and score the A's first run on McNeil's RBI single. Nick Kurtz added to the lead with a two-run homer to left field in the second, his 17th on the season, and then smacked his 18th of the year in the seventh to put the A's up 11-1.  

Pittsburgh added another run on a solo homer off Mason Barnett to make the final 11-2.

Kurtz has been quietly productive all season, as pitchers have been content to walk him rather than challenge him. His OBP hasn't dipped below .400 since April 17, but he hit five home runs in April and five more in May, leading to under-the-radar production. His home run on Monday night was his seventh in 13 June games. 

Kurtz is coming. 

J.T. Ginn navigated some traffic, finishing with yet another solid six innings of work. He gave up six hits and one unearned run, walked two and struck out three. 

Going back to May 7, Ginn has made eight starts spanning 48 innings and now holds a 2.06 ERA over that span. In six of those eight starts he's gone at least six innings, and he's also allowed two or fewer runs in seven of those eight starts. The one exception was against the Milwaukee Brewers in Las Vegas last week when he gave up five earned. 

At a time when the A's have been looking for pitching, Ginn has stepped up to become the team's ace over the past five weeks.

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