Oakland A’s left to right Seth Brown, Esteury Ruiz, and Lawrence Butler celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sun Apr 28, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
For the second time in the Oakland A’s (12-17) series with the division leading Baltimore Orioles (17-10), the A’s came from behind to win not only the game but the series. Baltimore is a very tough customer leading the American League East division.
The hero in this game was Kyle McCann who hit a two-run home run to take the lead 7-6 which was the final. Oakland pitcher Lucas Erceg had a blistering ninth inning to close out the game.
Game recap: Oakland’s Seth Brown hit a home run in the second inning of this game to give the A’s the lead 1-0. Baltimore answered right back with not one but two runs in the second taking a 2-1 lead. The Oriole’s Anthony Santander and Cedric Miller both scored.
The third inning really showed the A’s road-trip renegade mentality as Oakland brought home three runners to take a 4-2 lead. There would be no repeat of yesterday game for the A’s. These guys are real fighters as they battled from behind once again.
JJ Bleday doubled Lawrence Butler home to tie up this game 2-2 with Brent Rooker batting next. Rooker singled driving two runners, Tyler Nevin and JJ Bleday both home taking a 4-2 lead and the A’s were back on top.
Once again the Orioles answered back, this time with two home runs taking back the lead in this battle. Adley Rutschman hit a solo shot and Ryan Mountcastle slugged a two run homer for a 5-4 lead.
Baltimore extended their lead in the fourth inning with a Ramon Urias home run now leading 6-4. The three home runs from Baltimore in the third and fourth innings signaled the end of Paul Blackburn’s time on the mound. All six Oriole runs came off Blackburn whose four innings of work was the shortest of the season for him.
The fifth and sixth innings was quiet offensively for both teams. Oakland hit their first home run of the game in the seventh inning off the bat of Tyler Nevin trailing by a single run 6-5. The A’s were unable to challenge in the eighth but they came alive in the final countdown, the ninth inning. Kyle McCann hit a two-run home run taking a 7-6 lead. Darell Hernaiz had walked and McCann did the rest.
Lucas Erceg took over on the mound in the ninth looking to close out this game. The Baltimore first at bat in the ninth was a punch out, followed by a line out and a second strike out and that was the ball game. The A’s had come from behind in the ninth for a second time in this series. The final was 7-6.
Paul Blackburn went four innings in this game allowing seven hits and six runs with five strikeouts. Oakland relief pitching was exceptional and went the distance setting this win up for Lucas Erceg who closed out the game. The A’s had ten hits in the game and Baltimore had nine.
Game notes: Sunday afternoon the A’s finished up their series with the Orioles. Saturday, Oakland was stomped to the tune of 7-0 and they won this game and took the series against a very tough American League East opponent. Baltimore is in first place in this division and the win over them was sweet indeed for Oakland. Paul Blackburn started for Oakland and Albert Suarez started for the Orioles in a game that was decided by two Oakland runs in the top of the ninth.
After a very long road trip, Oakland will return home for a lengthy home stand. They will begin a three game series on Monday taking on the Pittsburg Pirates. Joe Boyle will take the mound for the A’s and Bailey Falter will start for the Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.
9th Erceg first at bat a punch out
Drive out
3rd punch out
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