Max Schuemann and Lawrence Butler both hit two-run home runs in the seventh inning on Tuesday night to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Zack Gelof added a solo shot in the eighth and All-Star closer Mason Miller held on after giving up two runs and four hits in a shaky ninth. With runners on second and third, he threw out pinch-hitter Amed Rosario for his 22nd save.
Oakland had one hit and trailed 1-0 after six innings, but came back to hand Cincinnati its ninth straight interleague loss.
A’s starter Mitch Spence allowed one run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Michel Otañez (1-0) got two outs in the sixth inning to earn his first Major League victory.
The Reds, who have five starting pitchers on the injured list, will likely dig deep into their bullpen on Tuesday.
Jakob Junis made his fourth start of the season, his first since joining the Reds, and struck out all 12 batters he faced. He had made eight relief appearances since being acquired from the Brewers on July 30.
Oakland had no baserunner until Buck Farmer walked Seth Brown with one out in the fifth. The A’s first hit came when Schuemann doubled off Farmer to lead off the sixth.
In his next at bat, Schuemann hit a two-run homer off Tony Santillan (1-2) to put the A’s up 2-1 with two outs in the seventh. Two batters later, Butler hit his 15th homer off Justin Wilson.
Gelof hit his 16th home run in the eighth inning against Casey Legumina.
Oakland led 5-2 with one out in the ninth when Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson singled to put runners on first and third. De La Cruz scored on TJ Friedl’s groundout and Spencer Steer’s bloop single made it 5-4. Ty France doubled before Miller finally ended it by striking out Rosario.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Track and Field: C Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist contusion) has returned to hitting and could begin a rehab program this week.
Reds: LHP Nick Lodolo (sprained left middle finger) has been placed on the injured list for 15 days, retroactive to Aug. 24. … LHP Brandon Williamson (shoulder sprain) has been sent to Triple-A Louisville for a rehab assignment. … OF Stuart Fairchild (sprained left thumb) has been placed on the 10-day IL.
NEXT
Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.24 ERA) pitches for Oakland on Wednesday. The Reds have not yet announced a scheduled starter. Bido is 3-0 with an 0.53 ERA in his last three starts.
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This story has been corrected to reflect that Stephenson singled for the Reds in the ninth inning, not Friedl.
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