Bubba Chandler, Pirates blank Athletics to end losing skid
Bubba Chandler and two relievers combined on a one-hitter and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a five-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the visiting Athletics on Saturday.
Nick Yorke and Bryan Reynolds homered for the Pirates (66-89), who recorded their MLB-best 18th shutout of the season and won for just the second time in their last 14 games.
Jacob Wilson doubled in the second inning for the Athletics’ (73-82) lone hit. The A’s only other baserunner came with one out in the third inning, when Brett Harris was hit by a pitch.
Braxton Ashcraft followed Chandler (3-1) and struck out six batters without allowing any hits over three innings. Dennis Santana pitched the ninth for his 14th save, ending a game that lasted just one hour and 52 minutes.
The Athletics were stymied by Chandler, who struck out the side in the first inning on 17 pitches.
Chandler allowed one hit over five innings in his third career start. He struck out six with no walks.
Yorke deposited a 1-1 sweeper from Athletics starter Luis Morales (4-1) out to left field with two outs in the third inning for his first home run and a 1-0 lead.
The Pirates extended their lead to 2-0 when Reynolds homered to start the third inning. Reynolds’ 416-foot blast was his 16th homer of the season.
Morales has allowed two home runs in each of his past three outings, contributing to the Athletics’ 215 long balls surrendered this season — the second-highest total in franchise history.
Morales was replaced by Tyler Ferguson after giving up two runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six innings.
