Lopez, bullpen blank Twins as A’s win 2-0

Jacob Lopez gave the Athletics exactly what they needed Friday night.

Lopez worked five scoreless innings, and four relievers finished a two-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

The A’s managed only five hits. However, they scratched out single runs in the fifth and sixth before the bullpen protected the lead.

The win moved the Athletics to 44-59 and opened the series on the right note.

Lopez sets the tone

Lopez allowed one hit across five innings. He walked four, struck out four and kept Minnesota hitless with runners in scoring position.

The left-hander worked around traffic throughout the night. Still, the Twins never broke through.

Minnesota’s best chance against Lopez came in the fourth. Royce Lewis walked, stole second and third, while Luke Keaschall also walked and stole second.

However, Brooks Lee popped out to Jacob Wilson to end the inning.

Then Austin Martin doubled with one out in the fifth. Lopez answered by retiring Byron Buxton on a line drive and Ryan Jeffers on a fly ball.

Lopez improved to 5-4 and lowered his ERA to 6.12.

Among Athletics pitchers with at least 10 starts, only Lopez and J.T. Ginn have winning records this season. Ginn is 8-6, while Lopez moved one game above .500.

Two runs are enough

The Athletics did not produce much offense, but they made their chances count.

Donovan Walton walked with one out in the fifth. Then Tommy White doubled to center, putting runners at second and third.

Jeff McNeil followed with another walk. Soon after, Lawrence Butler lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Walton for a 1-0 lead.

The inning ended when White was thrown out at home on a wild pitch.

Next, Henry Bolte opened the sixth with a single. Jacob Wilson moved him to second on a groundout before Tyler Soderstrom singled to left.

Bolte scored, giving the A’s a 2-0 cushion.