If the Orioles advance to postseason play, they should hope not to play an AL West opponent. The birds have won just 12 of 30 games against the West, with a 5-2 loss to the Oakland A’s.
His teammates gave O’s starter Zach Britton a 2-0 lead on a Mark Reynolds double in the second, and a solo homer from NateMcLouth (3) in the third. But Britton (L, 5-3) could not hold the edge. In the third, Britton coughed it up, and then some.
Stephen Drew, hitting .200 coming in, led off with his 4th home run. One out later, Britton walked Coco Crisp. Jonny Gomes was hit by a pitch. Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes delivered back-to-back singles, and Chris Carter doubled, making it 5-2.
The Orioles would have other chances. Down three, Adam Jones was thrown out at the plate by Cespedes on a fourth-inning double from Chris Davis. The birds also put two on in the ninth against A’s closer Grant Balfour, but could do no further damage.
The O’s and A’s wrap up the three-game set Sunday. Dan Straily (2-0, 3.42) goes for Oakland. Randy Wolf (5-10/2-0, 5.68) makes hos first start for the Orioles.
The GOOD:
- Two hits each from McLouth, Davis, Jones, and Mark Reynolds.
- Steve Johnson: 3IP, 0R, 1H, 3BB, 4K,
The BAD:
- Britton. Very bad, in the fourth.
- O’s: 1/6 with RISP.
- The 7,8,9 hitters (Manny Machado, Endy Chavez, and Robert Andino): Combined 0/11 with 10 left on.
