Athletics 11, Pirates 2: Kurtz and McNeil Power Oakland Rout

The lead

June 15, 2026 - West Sacramento - Nick Kurtz hit two homers and drove in five runs with 17 hitting FP in AthX Engine scoring, Jeff McNeil went deep and knocked in four with 13 FP, and the Athletics beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-2, per the Associated Press recap on CBS Sports.

Oakland finished second on the Monday slate at 23 team FP.

How the game turned

McNeil snapped an 0-for-20 slump with an RBI single in the second before Kurtz followed with an opposite-field homer for a 3-0 lead. A five-run seventh, capped by Kurtz's three-run shot, broke the game open.

J.T. Ginn worked six strong innings with 17 pitching FP as the Athletics returned home from a 4-2 homestand in Las Vegas.

Pitching and matchup notes

Ginn (5-3) allowed one unearned run and six hits on 98 pitches. Jared Jones (1-1) permitted five runs and eight hits over four innings in his fourth start of the season.

Zack Gelof extended the majors' longest current hitting streak to 19 games with an RBI single in the fifth.

Bats that changed the board

Kurtz's 17 FP and McNeil's 13 FP paced a 23 team FP night. Eight of Kurtz's 18 homers have come in June, per the AP recap.

AthX Engine fantasy angle

AthX Engine graded Oakland at 23 team FP behind a Kurtz-McNeil tandem that combined for 30 hitting FP. Power-heavy routs register strongly on the daily team board, separate from dynamic pricing.

What comes next

The Athletics and Pirates continued the series Tuesday at Sutter Health Park, per the MLB schedule.

*Sources: MLB.com schedule, CBS Sports/AP recap, AthX Engine scoring. Information only; not financial advice.*