OAKLAND, Calif. — Ryan Sweeney hit
a game-ending two-run single with one out in the ninth inning, giving
the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
Adam Rosales singled leading off the
ninth and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Rajai Davis struck out but
reached base on a wild pitch before the Orioles opted to intentionally
walk Daric Barton and load the bases. Sweeney, who earlier extended his
major league-leading hitting streak to 12 games, singled to right to
drive in pinch-runner Eric Patterson — he took over for Rosales at
second base — and Davis, who easily scored ahead of the throw from
Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis.
Jerry Blevins (2-0) pitched an inning
for the win. Oakland has won nine straight home games against Baltimore.
The A's are 9-4, their best start after 13 games since 1992. They also
moved five games over .500 for the first time since July 19, 2008.
The Orioles fell to 1-11, their worst
start since opening the 1988 season with 21 consecutive losses, and lost
third baseman Miguel Tejada to a possible leg injury in the sixth
inning.
The Orioles scored a pair of unearned
runs off Oakland starter Justin Duchscherer in the sixth inning then
took a 3-2 lead on Ty Wiggington's sacrifice fly in the eighth.
For the Orioles, it was another
frustrating day in their terrible opening month.
Baltimore stranded nine runners and is
2-for-47 with men in scoring position this season. The Orioles also
committed their fourth error in the last three games which led to an
unearned run off Jeremy Guthrie in the fifth.
Manager Dave Trembley has tried to
maintain an upbeat attitude but bristled at repeated questions about his
team's lack of success before abruptly ending his pregame chat with
reporters.
The team also held a players-only
meeting in the clubhouse.
"I think it's always a positive step
when people step forward and exchange some thoughts and ideas," Trembley
said.
Tejada appeared to slow down slightly
while running toward first base and went into a headfirst slide. He was
safe but lay on the ground atop the bag in pain as a team trainer
rushed out. After a brief examination, Tejada was removed from the game
and replaced by pinch-runner Cesar Izturis.
Luke Scott then reached on Barton's
fielding error, and two batters later Garrett Atkins hit a two-run
single to tie the game at 2.
Guthrie gave
up six hits and two runs but pitched with runners in scoring position
in all but one of his six-plus innings.
Notes
Oakland RHP Michael Wuertz
pitched one shutout inning in the minors while he continues to rehab
from tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. … 2B Mark Ellis missed his
sixth straight game because of a sore left hamstring and A's manager Bob
Geren said it's 50-50 whether Ellis will play Sunday. … Baltimore RHP
Koji Uehara (hamstring) threw batting practice without problems and
will pitch in a simulated game Monday. … Oakland's Davis had his 100th
career stolen base in the third inning. … The A's honored longtime
Coliseum announcer Roy Steele before the game. Steele, 76, threw out the
ceremonial first pitch and his likeness was featured on a bobblehead
doll given away to fans.