Pirates rally, top A’s in 13

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Starling Marte can’t pinpoint why. The Pirates center fielder just knows there’s something about batting with the game on the line that brings out an extra sense of confidence.

Not even a monthlong slump to start this season is going to shake that.

Marte hit a game-ending, three-run homer in the 13th inning, rallying the Pittsburgh Pirates past Oakland 5-3 Sunday after the Athletics scored twice in the top of the inning.

“Those situations don’t happen a lot, but there’s something special about them,” Marte said through a translator. “What I’ve recognized is that when it comes up to me, it’s something about [those situations] that makes me feel big.”

Cole Tucker started Pittsburgh’s comeback with a one-out single off Fernando Rodney (0-2). Jung Ho Kang walked and Adam Frazier drove in Tucker with a single before Marte drilled a ball out to center for his fifth walkoff homer.

Marte was batting 3 for 15 in his previous three games with a .200 average on the season, but his late-game heroics resembled years past when he was one of Pittsburgh’s most potent hitters.

“More than anything, all I’ve got to say is that it signified a lot to be able to be that guy,” he said. “It brings me back to that place of being that guy that the team can continue to depend on.”

A’s slugger Khris Davis, last year’s major league home run leader, left in the second inning with a left hip bruise after crashing into the left field wall chasing a popup. He said he expects to play against the Reds on Tuesday.

“I was just tracking the ball and kind of checked the fence and knew it was going to be close to the fence,” Davis said. “I just kept following the ball and stayed on it. I was happy I made the play, but a little sad I had to pull myself out. I didn’t feel like I’d be beneficial for the team.”

Tyler Lyons (1-0) got the win despite struggling in his Pirates debut. After pitching a 1-2-3 12th, he walked the first two batters in the 13th and allowed an RBI single to Kendrys Morales and a run-scoring double to Stephen Piscotty before getting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit to hit into an inning-ending double play.

The Pirates improved to 6-2 in extra-inning games and 6-1 in interleague play. They are above .500 at 16-15 for the first time since April 25.