Kurtz hits a grand slam, Butler adds 2 HRs as Athletics dominate Braves 10-1
Kurtz hits a grand slam, Butler adds 2 HRs as Athletics dominate Braves 10-1
Athletics’ Lawrence Butler jogs around the bases after hitting a solo home during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
A view of Sutter Heath Park during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Athletics and the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs throws to an Atlanta Braves batter during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics’ Nick Kurtz high fives his teammates after hitting a grand slam against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics’ Lawrence Butler jogs around the bases after hitting a solo home during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics’ Lawrence Butler jogs around the bases after hitting a solo home during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
A view of Sutter Heath Park during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Athletics and the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
A view of Sutter Heath Park during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Athletics and the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs throws to an Atlanta Braves batter during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs throws to an Atlanta Braves batter during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics’ Nick Kurtz high fives his teammates after hitting a grand slam against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Athletics’ Nick Kurtz high fives his teammates after hitting a grand slam against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nick Kurtz hit a grand slam, Lawrence Butler homered twice and the Athletics beat the Atlanta Braves 10-1 on Tuesday night.
The Braves have lost five straight and seven of eight.
Jeffrey Springs (7-6) pitched six innings and gave up a run — a solo shot by Eli White in the fifth — on six hits.
Butler led off the first inning with an inside-the-park home run. Jacob Wilson was hit on the wrist by the next pitch and was replaced by pinch-runner Max Schuemann before Brent Rooker and Max Muncy each hit two-run homers to make it 5-0.
Butler hit a solo shot in the third to make it 10-0.
Didier Fuentes (0-3) — the youngest active player in the majors at 20 years and 21 days old — pitched one-plus innings and gave up eight runs on five hits, which included three homers.
Justin Sterner threw two hitless innings of relief before Elvis Alvarado pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the Athletics.
All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (back tightness) did not play for the Braves.
Key moment
Denzel Clarke hit a leadoff single in the second inning, Butler walked and Schuemann singled to load the bases and chase Fuentes. Jesse Chavez came on gave Kurtz hit his first career grand slam.
Key stat
Butler became the first A’s player to hit a leadoff inside-the-park homer since Elmer Valo on June 25, 1943.
Up next
Atlanta’s Bryce Elder (2-6, 5.92 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Wednesday against Mitch Spence (2-4, 4.06) in the second of a three-game series.
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