BOSTON -- Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty returned to the lineup after the club reinstated him from the bereavement list and made an immediate impact, hitting a solo home run in his first at-bat Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox.
Piscotty had been away from the team following the death of his mother. Gretchen Piscotty died May 6 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
"It was pure joy. It's been an emotional week,'' Piscotty said following the team's 5-3 win.
Piscotty, who batted eighth and started in right field, touched his heart with his right hand and looked up as he crossed home plate at Fenway Park.
"Running around [the bases] was pretty emotional. I'm pretty cried out, so I didn't tear up or anything. It felt so good, and coming around third I was immediately thinking of my mom," said Piscotty.
The team had given Piscotty the option to sit out Tuesday, when he got a ride to the airport around 3:45 a.m. in California for a flight to Boston. Piscotty, who said he still felt like he was on West Coast time, declined the option.
"He wanted to play. He's on little sleep, a lot of adrenaline,'' Oakland manager Melvin said. "I know he was really- looking forward to that first at-bat. To be able to do what he did tells you a little seething about him.''
Added Melvin: "To hit a home run in his first at-bat like that, there's something in the air. Probably Gretchen ... It was like a walkoff. The guys just embraced him when he got in the dugout.''
To make room for Piscotty and with Trevor Cahill (elbow) expected to return from the disabled list on Wednesday, the A's also optioned right-hander Kendall Graveman to Triple-A Nashville.
Graveman, called up last Friday, earned his first win of the year in a solid start against the Yankees and was scheduled to start Wednesday against the Red Sox. He's 1-5 with a 7.60 ERA over seven starts with the A's this season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.