by California’s West Sacramento (AP) The Athletics defeated the Atlanta Braves 10-1 on Tuesday night, with Nick Kurtz hitting a grand slam and Lawrence Butler hitting two home runs.
The Braves have dropped seven of eight games and five in a row.
Eli White scored a run on a solo shot in the fifth inning while Jeffrey Springs (7-6) pitched six innings.
Butler hit a home run inside the park to start the first inning. Before Brent Rooker and Max Muncy each hit two-run home runs to make it 5-0, pinch-runner Max Schuemann replaced Jacob Wilson when he was hit on the wrist by the next pitch.
In the third, Butler made a solo stroke to increase the score to 10-0.
At the age of 20 years and 21 days, Didier Fuentes (0-3) was the youngest player currently playing in the major leagues. He pitched one or more innings and allowed eight runs on five hits, including three home runs.
Before Elvis Alvarado pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the Athletics, Justin Sterner tossed two hitless relief innings.
Ronald Acu Jr., an All-Star outfielder, was unable to play for the Braves due to back discomfort.
Key moment
In order to load the bases and chase Fuentes, Butler walked, Schuemann singled, and Denzel Clarke hit a leadoff single in the second inning. Kurtz hit his first career grand slam after Jesse Chavez entered the game.
Key stat
Butler hit an aleadoff inside-the-park home run for the first time since Elmer Valo on June 25, 1943.
Up next
Mitch Spence (2-4, 4.06) will face Atlanta’s Bryce Elder (2-6, 5.92 ERA) on Wednesday in the second game of a three-game series.
