Reynaldo López fans 8 in 6 strong innings and Jarred Kelenic hits 2-run double as Braves top A's 4-2

Reynaldo López fans 8 in 6 strong innings and Jarred Kelenic hits 2-run double as Braves top A’s 4-2

1 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez reacts after the third out in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

2 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves’ Sean Murphy (12) celebrates with bench coach Walt Weiss, left, and manager Brian Snitker, center, after scoring in the second inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

3 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

4 of 18 |

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

5 of 18 |

Truist Park is viewed before a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

6 of 18 |

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

7 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves’ Jarred Kelenic (24) watches his two-run double in the second inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

8 of 18 |

Oakland Athletics’ Miguel Andujar, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

9 of 18 |

Oakland Athletics’ Miguel Andujar (22) hits a single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

10 of 18 |

Oakland Athletics’ Aledmys Diaz (6) drives in a run on a groundout in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

11 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves’ Jarred Kelenic, left, mascot Blooper, and Michael Harris II, right, celebrate after a victory in a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

12 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson scores a run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

13 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) and catcher Sean Murphy, right, celebrate after a victory over the Oakland Athletics of a baseball game Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

14 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias delivers in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

15 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias celebrates after a victory over the Oakland Athletics of a baseball game Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

16 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves’ Adam Duvall, center front, reacts after a double in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

17 of 18 |

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna tosses his bat after a flying out in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

18 of 18 |

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears delivers in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)

By CHARLES ODUM

ATLANTA (AP) — Reynaldo López set a season high with eight strikeouts, Jarred Kelenic hit a two-run double and the Atlanta Braves beat Oakland 4-2 on Friday night, giving the Athletics their third straight loss.

López (3-2) raised both arms as he walked off the mound after closing the sixth with two strikeouts. The right-hander allowed only four hits and one run in six innings. Given an extra day’s rest before the start, López was still strong in his final inning.

“I feel healthy, I feel strong,” López said through a translator. “I think I just felt good about being able to hold them there.”

López also said Kelenic’s two-run double in the second put him in a mood to celebrate.

“It was somewhat of a celebration we were able to get some runs early,” López said.

With one out in the second, Michael Harris II singled to right field against JP Sears (4-4), who then walked former Oakland teammate Sean Murphy. Kelenic lined a double off the base of the wall in left-center, driving in both runners for a 3-0 lead.

It was an important at-bat for Kelenic, who had hit only .226 in May and had only 10 RBIs for the season. Kelenic had been platooning with Adam Duvall in left field before reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Parse.ly - related stories

Sports on TV for Thursday, June 19

Sports on TV for June 23 - 29

Blue Jays host the Diamondbacks on home winning streak

With only Marcell Ozuna able to avoid an offensive slump that has affected the remainder of Atlanta’s lineup, the Braves need improved production from Kelenic, acquired in an offseason trade with Seattle. The big hit against Sears, a left-hander, was a statement Kelenic is ready for his new full-time role.

“I feel like just to get the momentum early was huge for us,” Kelenic said. “It felt like the last week we were always coming from behind.”

The Braves were 13-14 in May, with all 14 losses coming in games the opponent scored at least three runs.

The Athletics scored their only run off López in the fourth. Zack Gelof’s sacrifice fly drove in Miguel Andujar, who singled.

Oakland’s JJ Bleday led off the eighth with a walk from Joe Jiménez and moved to second on Brent Rooker’s infield hit. Seth Brown’s fourth strikeout of the game helped spoil the scoring threat. Jiménez also struck out Kyle McCann to end the inning.

Raisel Iglesias gave up a double to Gelof, who scored on a groundout by Aledmys Díaz, in the ninth but earned his 14th save.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: RHP Dany Jiménez and LHP Brady Basso were recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. ... RHP Lucas Erceg (forearm tightness) was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 26. ... RHP Tyler Ferguson was optioned to Las Vegas. ... IF Tyler Nevin was outrighted to Las Vegas after he was designated for assignment Tuesday.

UP NEXT

LHP Chris Sale (8-1, 2.12) will try to extend his streak of wins in seven consecutive starts for Atlanta on Saturday against Oakland RHP Aaron Brooks (0-2, 3.63).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB