Nick Kurtz hits 3rd career grand slam as A’s beat Cardinals 6-2

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Nick Kurtz hit a grand slam to back J.T. Ginn, who allowed one unearned run in six innings, as the Athletics beat St. Louis 6-2 on Wednesday.

Kurtz’ slam got over Victor Scott II’s glove in deep center field to give the A’s the lead for good in the fifth inning. It was the third grand slam for the reigning American League Rookie of the Year and extended his on-base streak to 36 games.

Ginn (2-1) allowed nine hits and issued one walk while striking out three. The lone run he yielded was unearned because of an error by right fielder Colby Thomas.

Henry Bolte went 2-for-2 with two singles, a walk and a sacrifice fly in his major league debut after being promoted Tuesday from the Aviators. The 22-year-old got his first hit in his first at-bat in the second and added his first RBI in the seventh.

Zack Gelof had a solo homer in the eighth for the A’s. Darell Hernaiz had three hits, and Kurtz, Thomas and Michael Stefanic each had two for the A’s.

Nathan Church’s RBI single in the fourth got the Cardinals on the board first, and Ivan Herrera brought in their second run with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly.

Matthew Liberatore (2-2) allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out five in five innings.

Up next

LHP Jacob Lopez (3-2, 6.11 ERA) is to start for the A’s on Thursday against RHP Michael McGreevy (3-2, 2.18) in the series finale.