Athletics 2, Pirates 1
Athletics 2, Pirates 1: Dan Straily pitched 6 1/3 strong innings and Brandon Moss belted a two-run homer as visiting Oakland continued its dominance over Pittsburgh.
Grant Balfour worked around a leadoff single in the ninth inning to record his 24th save in as many opportunities this season and extend his franchise-record streak to 42 straight successful conversions. John Jaso doubled and scored for the Athletics, who improved to 11-0 all-time against the Pirates.
Straily (6-2) allowed one run and two hits en route to his fifth consecutive victory. The right-hander, who walked three and struck out seven, has yielded fewer than three runs seven times over his last nine starts.
After rain delayed the start of the game for 1 hour, 42 minutes, Pittsburgh - which has scored six runs during its four-game losing streak - took the lead when Pedro Alvarez led off the second inning with his 23rd home run of the season. The advantage didn't last long as Moss followed Jaso's two-out double in the fourth with a shot over the right-field wall for his 16th blast and a 2-1 edge.
Gerrit Cole (4-2) suffered his second straight loss after winning his first four career starts despite surrendering just two runs and five hits over seven innings. The 22-year-old, who has yet to allow more than three runs, walked two and struck out four.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Alvarez joined Ralph Kiner and Willie Stargell as the only Pirates to hit at least 23 home runs before the All-Star break. ... Pittsburgh placed 2B Neil Walker (right side) on the 15-day disabled list and recalled INF Josh Harrison from Triple-A Indianapolis. Harrison grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and remained in the game at second base. ... Oakland LF Yoenis Cespedes was selected by captain Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees as the final participant for the American League in next week's Home Run Derby.