ATHLETICS 7, TWINS 2
Marcus Semien hit a grand slam in the eighth after his tying solo homer leading off the fifth, Chris Herrmann had a career-high four hits, and Oakland beat Minnesota for a winning series against the AL Central leaders.
Semien sent the first pitch from Mike Morin over the wall in left-center for his 13th homer of the year and fourth career grand slam. He matched his career high with five RBIs, also done last year, while notching his fifth two-homer game and second this season.
Wei-Chung Wang (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for his first career win in 34 appearances over parts of three major league seasons – and it was a timely outing by the Taiwanese lefty on a day the A’s bullpen was thin after a 4-3, 12-inning loss Wednesday night.
Ehire Adrianza’s single with two outs in the top of the fifth had put Minnesota ahead after he reached on a bases-loaded catcher’s interference in the first to give the Twins a 1-0 lead.
Semien’s first drive of the day gave the A’s a home run in nine straight games. Oakland went ahead on Mark Canha’s groundout four batters late.
Jose Berrios (8-5) allowed three runs and six hits in five innings with two strikeouts and three walks to lose his second straight start and third consecutive decision.
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