PHOENIX (July 20) \u2014 A two-run single by pinch-hitter Jeff McNeil<\/a><\/strong> led to a three-run seventh, giving the Athletics<\/a> a 5\u20132 win over the host Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> Monday night at Chase Field.<\/p>\n That was one of fifteen hits for the Athletics, a team that saw five players notch multi-hit games. Rookie Tommy White<\/a><\/strong> led the way with a 4-for-5 evening, with an infield single in the seventh extending the inning and bringing up McNeil. \u201cI thought I hit the bag before,\u201d White said. He added, \u201cFeels great (to) get a couple of hits on the board, doing what I can to help the team win.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeffrey Springs<\/a><\/strong> had his best start since May, holding the Diamondbacks to two runs on six hits across five innings. Though he ultimately received \u201cno decision,\u201d and though he expressed disappointment in allowing a two-run homer to Ketel Marte<\/a><\/strong>, he still felt better about his effort Monday night than he has about others during his recent lull. \u201cDefinitely feels a lot better walking away with giving us a chance to win,\u201d Springs said.<\/p>\n The Athletics took a 1\u20130 lead when rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer<\/a><\/strong> led off the second with his first major league home run. Jacob Wilson<\/a><\/strong> extended their lead to 2\u20130 with a leadoff homer in the fifth. That lead held until the sixth, when Marte launched his towering two-run homer down the left-field line.<\/p>\n In the seventh, McNeil looped his two-run pinch-single to right-center with the bases loaded, giving the Athletics a two-run lead. White went first-to-third on the play. That mattered during the next batter, as a wild pitch allowed him to score.<\/p>\n The Athletics limited the Diamondbacks to three baserunners after retaking the lead, holding them scoreless the rest of the way en route to the victory.<\/p>\n Though the outing did not end the way Springs wanted it to, he pitched well overall. He allowed two runs on six hits, with the home run responsible for his only runs.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt like, results aside, I executed a little bit better of our gameplan coming into this one,\u201d he said. \u201cAnytime we can win a ball game, I’m extremely happy with it. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction and one I can continue to build on.\u201d<\/p>\n Part of what made Springs\u2019 outing effective was that the Athletics defense erased some early baserunners. In the first, catcher Shea Langeliers<\/a><\/strong> threw Geraldo Perdomo<\/a><\/strong> out trying to steal second after a one-out single. Another one-out single, this time by Ildemaro Vargas<\/a><\/strong> in the second, did no damage after an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.<\/p>\n \u201cThe defense did an unbelievable job today,\u201d Springs said. \u201cThat\u2019s huge to be able to lean on them making plays.\u201d<\/p>\n The Athletics quickly regained the lead after the Diamondbacks tied the game in the sixth. Manager Mark Kotsay<\/a><\/strong> said of the three-run seventh, \u201cThat\u2019s what we talked about \u2014 the fight of the team and seeing these guys grind out at-bats. The last two days, we’ve hit the baseball. We just haven’t gotten the hit<\/em>. Execution with runners in scoring position\u2026but we found a way to win a baseball game.\u201d<\/p>\n After Springs gave up the Marte homer and a bunt single to Perdomo, Luis Medina<\/a><\/strong> relieved him and got the Athletics out of the inning. He went on to pitch a scoreless seventh. Jose Suarez<\/a><\/strong> and Hogan Harris<\/a><\/strong> followed with a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively. The trio combined to allow only three baserunners \u2014 two via hits and one via walk.<\/p>\n Kotsay said the trio did \u201ca phenomenal job tonight,\u201d calling Medina\u2019s effort in the sixth \u201cthe biggest inning of the game.\u201d He added, \u201cFor him to come in in the sixth, get three outs, go back out in the seventh, and take care of the lead? (That) says a lot about the young man and the innings he pitched tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n The Athletics left runners in scoring position in four separate innings. They left the bases loaded in the third and runners on the corners in the fifth. Additionally, they left runners on first and second in the sixth and a runner on third in the seventh.<\/p>\n Colby Thomas<\/a><\/strong> left the game in the middle of the fourth inning, one frame after being hit on the left wrist. He suffered a left wrist contusion. Kotsay said postgame that x-rays were negative.<\/p>\n Kuroda-Grauer left the game in the bottom of the sixth, one inning after hitting a hard foul ball straight off his groin. He suffered a testicular contusion, the Athletics announced. Kotsay said postgame that Kuroda-Grauer is getting an ultrasound to see if there was any damage further than initially diagnosed.<\/p>\n Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado<\/a><\/strong> cracked his 2,000th career hit with a fifth-inning double. He is now the sixth active player with at least 2000 career hits. Freddie Freeman<\/a><\/strong> (2536) is the active leader, followed by Jose Altuve<\/a><\/strong> (2459). The other three are Andrew McCutchen<\/a><\/strong> (2280), Paul Goldschmidt<\/a><\/strong> (2255), and Manny Machado<\/a><\/strong> (2140). Xander Bogaerts<\/a><\/strong> (1895) is the closest to adding his name to the list, followed by Bryce Harper<\/a><\/strong> (1893).<\/p>\n Luis Medina (2\u20131) earned the win as Kevin Ginkel<\/a><\/strong> (3\u20133) took the loss, both in relief. Harris notched his sixth save after the scoreless ninth.<\/p>\n The Athletics (43\u201357) and Diamondbacks (51\u201349) will play again Tuesday night in the second game of their three-game interleague series. Athletics right-hander Jack Perkins<\/a><\/strong> (2\u20135, 6.87 ERA) will face Diamondbacks lefty Kohl Drake<\/a><\/strong>, who will make his major-league debut. First pitch will be at 6:40 pm Arizona Time.<\/p>\nAthletics \u2013 Diamondbacks Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Athletics<\/h3>\n
Starting Pitching<\/h4>\n
Wiped Out Early Baserunners<\/h4>\n
Late Grit<\/h4>\n
Relief Pitching<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Athletics<\/h3>\n
Runners Left in Scoring Position<\/h4>\n
Banged Up Duo<\/h4>\n
A Career Milestone<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n