Instant Analysis: Five Takeaways as A's Take Lead in Bay Bride Series

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SAN FRANCISCO - Daniel Gossett made his first start in the Bay Bridge Series a memorable one.

The rookie held the Giants to three hits over seven innings in his best start as a major leaguer, and the A's backed him with a stellar all-around performance in a 6-1 victory at AT&T Park.

Ryon Healy connected for his 20th home run and Oakland knocked out 11 hits to take two of the first three in this four-game rivalry series. But it was Gossett's sharp effort that had to be most encouraging for A's manager Bob Melvin.

The rookie largely has endured rocky times over his 10 starts since making his big league debut in June. But he showed how effective he can be when he keeps the ball in the yard. His 11 homers allowed coming in were tied for fifth most in Oakland history by a pitcher over his first nine career games.

Wednesday's outing was just the third time in 10 starts that Gossett (3-6) didn't allow a homer. He didn't allow his first hit until the fifth, when the Giants scratched out their only run on Gorkys Hernandez's sacrifice fly.

Here's five things you need to know as the A's won for just the sixth time in their past 22 games at AT&T Park.

MILESTONE HOMER: Healy had gone a career-high 24 games without a homer. But he connected off lefty Matt Moore (3-11) in the third for a two-run shot that put the A's up 4-0. He joins Khris Davis and Yonder Alonso as Athletics who have reached the 20-homer mark this season.

PINDER'S NIFTY GRAB: Chad Pinder's first start since coming off the disabled list came in left field Wednesday, and he made a terrific catch to end the fifth and save a run. He raced into the gap and hauled in Miguel Gomez's drive to strand a runner on second, after the Giants had plated their first run to make it a 4-1 game.

Pinder will continue to bounce around the diamond getting his playing time. He's primarily been an infielder but has routinely made standout plays in the corner outfield spots this season. On Monday night, he made a running catch on a tough liner to right field after entering as a defensive replacement.

CASILLA CLOSES IT OUT: Former Giant Santiago Casilla came on in the ninth to nail down the win. It wasn't a save situation, and Melvin has indicated he wants to take a look at Blake Treinen as his closer. But it was a chance for Casilla to get his feet back underneath him in the ninth after six blown saves so far this season.

DAVIS SITS WITH A HAMSTRING ISSUE: Pinder drew the start in left partly because Khris Davis is dealing with a hamstring issue that he'd been playing through lately. Manager Bob Melvin described it as a mild injury and said he considered Davis available off the bench.

GRAVEMAN TAKES THE HILL: The Giants will try to take the series Thursday night as Kendall Graveman makes his first big league start since May 19. He's been out with a strained shoulder.

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