Josh Reddick Hits Grand Slam, Athletics Slug Past Twins 14-1
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Tommy Milone's return to Oakland was forgettable. He looked forward to facing his former team while trying to think of it as any other outing.
It wasn't like most of his starts.
Milone surrendered three of the five home runs hit by the Athletics in a 14-1 romp of the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, the left-hander's first time facing his old club since being dealt at last summer's trade deadline for outfielder Sam Fuld.
"It seemed like the ball flew out of here," Milone said. "Regardless, I have to continue making adjustments. I'd get two quick outs and then things snowballed."
The Twins beat Oakland All-Star ace Sonny Gray to begin the series, then lost the next two.
Jake Smolinski homered twice for four RBIs a day after driving in the tying run in the ninth as a pinch hitter, Josh Reddick hit a grand slam and the A's started the second half with a series win over a top AL team.
Billy Butler and Josh Phegley hit two-run homers for the A's, who cleared the fences a season-high five times to boost their 2015 total to 80.
"It was a good day for everybody. Pitchers pitched great, hitters hit great. It was just a fun win," Smolinski said. "The team made me feel like I was a part since Day 1. Obviously everybody wants to help contribute and I'm just trying to do my part right now and hopefully we'll get it rolling."
Milone (5-2) hadn't allowed a home run in five starts since Elvis Andrus connected in the seventh inning June 12 at Texas.
Shane Robinson hit an RBI triple in the ninth as Minnesota lost for only the third time in 10 games having outscored opponents 50-27 in the previous nine.
The Twins lost 3-2 in 10 innings Saturday night.
"We got whiffed pretty good," manager Paul Molitor said. "They seemed to carry over the momentum of a good win last night. We opened the door with a misplay and then they hit the home run. The ball was flying out today and they took advantage. The first seven runs were with two outs. Those are tough."
Milone's afternoon was done — he had been 3-0 in five day starts this year — when Brett Lawrie followed Smolinski's full-count homer in the third with a single. Phegley and Ben Zobrist added RBI doubles in the inning.
Milone saw the end of his streak of four straight winning decisions over a six-start span with his shortest outing of the season at 2 2/3 innings. He yielded a season-high seven runs and matched his most with five earned runs.
In the second, Lawrie reached on a two-out throwing error by shortstop Danny Santana and Phegley followed with a drive to left for his sixth home run. The backup catcher has five homers and 14 RBIs over his last 17 games.
Another mistake led to Butler's ninth home run. Milone plunked Mark Canha with two outs to bring up Zobrist.
Smolinski hit a three-run homer in the eighth and an earlier solo shot for his first career multihomer game. The outfielder was promoted from Triple-A on July 7.
Smolinski followed Butler's third-inning home run with a solo drive for his first clout with the A's. Reddick hit his third career grand slam in the fifth against J.R. Graham.
Jesse Chavez (5-9) struck out nine in six innings for his second highest total of the year. He snapped a three-start losing streak with his first victory since June 23 at Texas, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fourth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: DH Miguel Sano sat out with a sprained right ankle he played through Saturday night. He was injured during pregame warmups when he stepped on a ball. It became sore as the game went on and Sano had a hard time planting on that foot, then needed crutches to get to the hotel Saturday night and again Sunday. Molitor said Sano would be re-evaluated but he is hopeful it will be only three to five days.
Athletics: Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte, out since June 11 with a strained right shoulder, will throw batting practice Monday at Class-A Stockton — 15 pitches with each arm.
UP NEXT
Twins: Off day Monday. RHP Kyle Gibson (8-6) pitches Tuesday against the Angels in Anaheim.
Athletics: Off day Monday. RHP Kendall Graveman pitches the series opener against Mark Buehrle (10-5) and the Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
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