A’s sweep doubleheader with Twins, extend winning streak to 10 games

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics are surging after struggling mightily at the start. The Minnesota Twins are reeling yet celebrating finally getting back on the diamond.

Matt Olson hit a grand slam, Mitch Moreland homered twice to back Sean Manaea’s shutout, and Jesus Luzardo followed with his own Game 2 gem as Oakland swept a doubleheader against the depleted Twins, 7-0 and 1-0 on Tuesday to run their winning streak to 10 games.

“We’re on a wave,” Luzardo said, quoting the A’s latest winning catchphrase, “and we’re just riding it.”

The left-handed Luzardo (11) allowed two hits over 5 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked one. The A’s got Seth Brown’s RBI single in the fourth off right-hander Jose Berrios (2-2).

Lou Trivino retired former A’s star Josh Donaldson on a called third strike to end the sixth with the tying run on third following a wild pitch. Jake Diekman finished for his first save with two runners on, getting a great catch from Mark Canha at the warning track in left to finish it on a deep fly by Willians Astudillo.

“I’m just glad it wasn’t too dark for Mark to catch that ball right there,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.

Although both games were only seven innings, the A’s earned shutouts in both ends of a doubleheader for the first time since Vida Blue and Catfish Hunter did so facing the Royals on Sept. 9, 1974.

In the opener, Moreland connected for a two-run homer in the second inning and a solo drive in the fourth off Matt Shoemaker (1-1).

Manaea (2-1) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked one over seven innings.

Minnesota finally got back on the field following three postponements because of COVID-19 protocols.

The Twins have had at least four positive coronavirus tests in the past week — Andrelton Simmons, Kyle Garlick, Max Kepler and a team staff member.