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Semien, Smolinski lead A's past Reds 6-1 to snap 7-game skid

Semien, Smolinski lead A's past Reds 6-1 to snap 7-game skid
Posted at 4:24 PM, Jun 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-12 17:31:35-04

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Marcus Semien and Jake Smolinski each hit a two-run homer in Oakland's four-run second inning, and the Athletics snapped their seven-game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Danny Valencia added a solo homer and Billy Butler had three hits - one short of his combined total in eight previous June games - as Oakland also ended a nine-game road losing streak, the team's longest since an 11-game slide in 2005.

Kendall Graveman and four relievers combined to throttle the Reds' offense. Fernando Rodriguez (2-0) allowed one hit over two innings of relief for the win.

Ramon Cabrera doubled in Steve Selsky for Cincinnati's only run in the second inning. The Reds failed to complete a three-game sweep but still finished 5-4 on their homestand.

Neither starter pitched long enough to qualify for a win.

Reds left-hander John Lamb (1-4), who lasted a career-high 7 1/3 innings in his previous start Tuesday against St. Louis, tied his season low by finishing just four innings on Sunday, giving up seven hits and four runs with two walks and one strikeout.

Oakland manager Bob Melvin lifted Graveman after Joey Votto's single leading off the fifth. The right-hander also allowed seven hits, but only one run with two walks and five strikeouts in a season-low four-plus innings.

The first four Oakland hitters in the second teamed up to produce four quick runs.

Semien followed Butler's leadoff single with his 10th homer of the season. Josh Phegley reached on a single and Smolinski hit his second homer out to the grassy area in front of the center field batter's eye.

Valencia led off the eighth with his 10th homer of the season and fourth in his last 11 games. Coco Crisp scored on Khris Davis' single in the ninth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

RHP Raisel Iglesias allowed two hits and had two strikeouts in two innings during his first rehab appearance Saturday with Double-A Pensacola. Iglesias, the team's opening day starter, has been on the disabled list since May 1 with shoulder soreness.

UP NEXT

RHP Daniel Wright (0-2) is Cincinnati's scheduled starter Monday in the opener of a four-game series at Atlanta - the Reds' last visit to Turner Field before the Braves move into a new facility next season.