Oakland A’s pitcher JP Sears got knocked around by the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sat Apr 27, 2024 in game 2 of the three game series (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Game two in the Oakland A’s (11-16) three game series with the Baltimore Orioles (16-9) was a rocky one. The A’s could not get their offense going. They fell behind in the fourth inning and never recovered. Former A’s pitcher Cole Irvin pitched a great game for the Orioles. He went 7 innings allowing 7 hits, no runs with 5 strikeouts in the 7-0 Baltimore win.
Game recap: The game was scoreless through the first three innings. In the fourth inning, the Orioles unleashed the beginning of a string of uncontested runs. They scored three runs with Gunnar Henderson hitting a single to start the barrage.
Anthony Santander doubled Henderson home for their first run of the game 1-0. Jordan Westburg singled Santander home advancing their lead to 2-0. Then James McCann singled, Westburg crossed home plate and Baltimore had a very productive fourth inning leading 3-0.
The A’s went into the fifth inning looking for some offense that resulted in an Abraham Toro single but not much else. Baltimore scored twice in the fifth inning showing up big in this game. The Orioles hit a couple of solo home runs in the inning off the bats of Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle. The Orioles had broken this game open in the fourth inning and continued to add on in the fifth leading 5-0.
JP Sears was relieved in the seventh innings by Michael Kelly. Sears allowed 8 hits, 7 runs with 8 strikeouts. When Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning that was it for Sears. Kelly came in to relieve him allowing one hit and no runs.
The Orioles finished off this game in the seventh inning with the Henderson two run homer winning the game 7-0 to tie up this series Henderson was elite for Baltimore in this game finishing with two hits, two runs, two RBI’s and the two-run homer. The Orioles had three home runs in the game.
This was the first time that the A’s didn’t have a home run in 12 games. Oakland had five hits that were scattered throughout the game. They could not get any back-to-back hits going which really hurt them.
Game notes: Saturday late afternoon the A’s took on the Orioles in game two of their three game series. The A’s won a come-from-behind game Friday in the 10th inning 3-2. They fought for the win and came away victorious. They were looking for their third win a row this afternoon but got rocked by the Orioles 7-0 on Saturday. JP Sears started for the A’s and gave up eight hits and seven runs and the former A’s pitcher now Orioles starter Cole Irvin started and went seven innings giving up four hits and didn’t give up a run.
After a rough game two, the A’s will try to recover in game three on Sunday. They need to shake off the loss and move forward looking to not only win game three but to also win the series.
Oakland will send Paul Blackburn to the mound in game three. He has been having a terrific season with a (2-1, 2.03 ERA). He has been great this season keeping batters off-balance and will certainly be challenged by the Baltimore offense. Blackburn will be looking to get his team back on track. Baltimore will start Albert Suarez (1-0 ERA 0.00). First pitch for this game is scheduled for 10:35 AM.
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