OAKLAND, Calif. — — Esteury Ruiz homered for the second time in three games since being recalled from Triple-A, and the Oakland Athletics beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Ruiz drove in two runs, scored twice and stole a base. He has homered twice in seven at-bats since his return Monday from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Tyler Nevin added three hits and an RBI.
Willson Contreras had two hits and an RBI, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games. He has reached base safely in 23 straight games dating to last season.
A’s starter Paul Blackburn allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Cardinals starter Steven Matz (1-1) allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked three.
A day off Thursday, then RHP Kyle Gibson (1-2, 6.16 ERA) opens a three-game home series against Milwaukee on Friday night opposite Brewers RHP Freddy Peralta (2-0, 2.55), 6:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 7:15 on KIRX.