Sunday, June 27, 2010
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif.
Coco Crisp had three hits and Ben Sheets won for the first time in more than a month when the Oakland Athletics beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-4 on Friday night.
Crisp singled, doubled and tripled in his third game since coming off the disabled list earlier this week. He just missed becoming only the seventh player in Oakland history to hit for the cycle after flying out, walking and grounding out in his final three plate appearances.
Neil Walker homered and had a career-high three hits for the Pirates. Walker, who needed a triple for the cycle, appeared to get hit in the back of the head by teammate Ryan Church’s knee as they chased a foul ball.
Walker remained face down on the turf for several minutes. He was eventually helped to his feet and left the field under his own power.
Former Youngstown State pitcher Justin Thomas made his major-league debut for the Pirates in the ninth inning, allowing three hits and two earned runs. Thomas recorded his first major-league strikeout.
The A’s had 17 hits and a season-high for runs. Every starter except Rajai Davis had at least one hit while eight players drove in at least one run.
That was big for Sheets (3-7), who scattered eight hits over six innings and had a season-high nine strikeouts.