Seth Brown hits two home runs, Oakland A’s beat Reds 9-6
CINCINNATI — Seth Brown hit a pair of homers, including a three-run hit in the eighth inning, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-6 on Wednesday night.
“To show the struggle to respond that way really shows the character of the group,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “That’s how you win baseball games.”
The A’s hit four home runs in the game and have 166 this season, seventh most in the major leagues. Oakland scored 50.3 percent of its runs on home runs, the highest percentage in the major leagues.
Oakland hit seven home runs in the first two games of the three-game series at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
“We were hoping we wouldn’t get carried away with that,” Brown said of the stadium’s reputation. “We just had to keep taking our approach. We just had to hit the ball hard where it’s going to be thrown.”
The Reds had a one-hitter and trailed 5-0 after six, but scored six runs in the seventh to take the lead on Will Benson’s three-run home run.
“It was a tough turnaround when we got the lead,” Reds manager David Bell said. “The A’s did their job. Their offense was able to turn the tables on us.”
Brown’s second home run — off Emilio Pagan (3-4) — gave the A’s the lead to stay 8-6 in the eighth.
“We lost the lead, we came back and that’s it, we’ve got to fight back,” Brown said. “Baseball is a crazy game. You’re going to have innings like that. You’ve got to be able to fight back. That’s our mindset.”
Oakland’s Lawrence Butler hit his second career home run in the top of the inning. The first came on August 23 against Milwaukee. Brown hit his first home run of the game to make it 2-0 in the fourth inning.
Brent Rooker, who hit 30 home runs last season, hit his career-best 31st home run in the sixth inning to make it 3-0.
“This guy has become the heart of the team,” Kotsay said.
A’s starter Osvaldo Bido, who has a 1.17 ERA over his last four starts, retired the first 13 batters he faced until Spencer Steer singled in the fifth. He allowed two earned runs on three hits in six innings.
“All three pitches worked,” Bido said through a translator. “It’s always great to pitch well and help your team win. I prepare for every start. Everything is working well so far.”
Tyler Ferguson (2-1) pitched the eighth inning for the win.
The Reds had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth inning against Mason Miller, who struck out Amed Rosario and Benson for his 23rd save.
With five starters on the injured list, Fernando Cruz started for the Reds and pitched a career-high three innings with six strikeouts. Pagán allowed five hits and four runs in one inning.
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Athletics: Outfielder Miguel Andujar (muscle injury) will undergo season-ending surgery. He was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday, Wednesday.
Reds: Left-handed pitcher Evan Kravetz was optioned to Triple-A Louisville, right-handed pitcher Casey Legumina was sent to Triple-A and outfielder Stuart Fairchild (left thumb sprain) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
FOLLOWING
Athletics: Right-handed pitcher JT Ginn (0-0, 2.45) will make his third career appearance, but his first start.
Reds: Right-handed pitcher Julian Aguiar (1-0, 3.60 ERA) earned his first major league win in his last start.
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