Gage Jump struck out nine over 6 1/3 innings, and the Athletics bullpen protected his lead Tuesday night. The A’s beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 at Sutter Health Park for their third win in four games.
Carlos Cortes provided the early punch with a two-run homer. Then Tommy White and Donovan Walton delivered two-out RBIs in the sixth to give Jump a four-run cushion.
The Athletics improved to 52-81 and moved into a tie with the Angels for last in the AL West. They also remained a half-game ahead of Colorado, which owns the worst record in the majors.
Jump sets the tone
Jump controlled Minnesota through six scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit through the first three innings and struck out three during that stretch.
Meanwhile, the A’s gave him a lead in the second. Alika Williams doubled with two outs before Cortes drove a 1-2 pitch over the right-field wall.
It was Cortes’ eighth home run of the season and gave the Athletics a 2-0 lead. However, Taj Bradley settled in and kept the A’s there until the sixth.
Jump continued to make the advantage hold. He worked around a Royce Lewis single and stolen base in the fourth, then struck out the side around a walk in the sixth.
Two-out damage
Lawrence Butler started another rally with a two-out single in the sixth. Next, White doubled to center to score Butler and extend the lead to 3-0.
Walton followed with an RBI single to right, bringing White home. As a result, the Athletics carried a 4-0 advantage into the seventh.
Bradley allowed four runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out 11 and walked one, but the A’s made their opportunities count by going 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Bullpen shuts the door
Minnesota finally reached Jump in the seventh. Lewis singled before Kody Clemens reached on a forceout, and Kaelen Culpepper doubled Clemens home.
That ended Jump’s night after 94 pitches. He allowed two runs on three hits and two walks across 6 1/3 innings while striking out nine.
Hogan Harris entered and allowed an inherited runner to score on Victor Caratini’s groundout. However, Harris struck out Luke Keaschall with two runners aboard to preserve the 4-2 lead.
Then Luis Medina worked a perfect eighth with one strikeout. Elvis Alvarado followed with a perfect ninth, needing only seven pitches to earn his fourth save.
Up next
The three-game series concludes Wednesday at Sutter Health Park. J.T. Ginn is scheduled to start for the Athletics against Minnesota left-hander Connor Prielipp.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
