JJ Bleday, bullpen lead A’s past Pirates for third straight win

OAKLAND — JJ Bleday hit a pair of home runs and the Athletics bullpen did what it’s done all season Tuesday night in a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bleday hit a solo home run in the fifth and two-run shot against reliever Josh Fleming in the seventh, his second and third home runs of the season.

Mitch Spence, who pitched three scoreless innings after starter Alex Wood struggled through the first four, was the winning pitcher to improve to 3-1 as the Athletics won their third straight game to improve to 14-17.