The Athletics opened their three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Mark Kotsay Bobblehead Night at Sutter Health Park. The A’s fought back late from an early deficit, only to fall to a 4-3 defeat in a closely contested 10-inning matchup.
Orioles Strike First:Lopez Labors
In the top of the second inning, left fielder Dylan Beavers’ two-out RBI single following a hit batter and a walk gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead. The next batter, Orioles catcher Carlos Narváez, hit a slow comebacker that A’s starter Jacob Lopez fielded errantly, allowing the visitors second run of the inning to score.
If Lopez had flipped the ball to his first baseman, the inning would have been over, but the A’s pitcher unsuccessfully tried to do it all himself. The Orioles had a chance to score more, but the A’s threw Beavers out at home on a wacky play to finally end that inning.
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A’s Offense Wastes Chance to Respond
In the bottom of the second, A’s first baseman Tommy White and designated hitter Max Muncy hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners with one out. The Athletics failed to capitalize on their first scoring opportunity, as Orioles starter Brandon Young retired the next two hitters to keep the hosts off the scoreboard.
Lopez Gutsy Start
Lopez rebounded with three straight scoreless innings, preventing his team’s deficit from increasing. He allowed two runs, one earned on three hits over five innings, walking three and striking out six in a gutsy outing considering how poorly his second inning went.
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The A’s offense gave Lopez no run support. Young allowed just three singles over his first five innings of work, taking full advantage of the A’s aggressive approach at the plate to record a string of quick outs.
Game Rolls Along: A’s Waste Another Chance
Right-handed reliever Scott Blewett replaced Lopez in the sixth inning and worked two scoreless frames.
In the top of the sixth, Baltimore stranded two runners in scoring position. With two outs in the bottom of that inning, A’s third baseman Zack Gelof recorded an infield single before stealing second base. Young escaped the jam by getting White to fly out, stranding two on base.
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Heim Time
Catcher Jonah Heim ensured that the A’s would not be shut out. With two outs in the seventh, Heim hit his 12th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field off Young that cut the Orioles’ lead in half.
Tight Game Late
A’s right-hander Luis Medina pitched a scoreless eighth inning, keeping the momentum on his team’s side. The Orioles pulled Young after he pitched seven innings of one-run ball against the A’s injury-depleted offense.
Right-hander Rico Garcia entered from Baltimore’s bullpen to pitch the bottom of the eighth. He hit Bolte and then Jeff McNeil singled, setting the A’s up with a golden chance to tie or take the lead. Gelof’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners up 90 feet.
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Right fielder Lawrence Butler came through, lining an opposite-field RBI single. Bolte scored to tie the game, but McNeil was thrown out attempting to score from second. Butler was stranded at second as the game entered the ninth inning tied at two.
Left-hander Hogan Harris pitched a scoreless top of the ninth, with a big assist from Heim, whose perfect throw caught Colton Cowser stealing second.
Extra Innings
The Athletics failed to walk it off in regulation, so the game went to extra innings. A’s left-hander Brady Basso got the first two outs of the tenth inning before giving up two straight RBI singles as the Orioles took a 4-2 lead.
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Facing Orioles right-hander Alex Hoppe, Gelof lined a two-out RBI single to make it a 4-3 game. The second run Basso allowed loomed large, as Hoppe retired Butler to secure his first major-league save.
The Athletics put up a nice fight tonight to force extra innings before falling short once again. They have recorded just three walk-off wins this season, with the last coming on June 19.
Tomorrow, the A’s will look to get back in the win column and force a rubber game on Sunday. The Green and Gold have not announced their starter, while the Orioles will send right-hander Shane Baz to the mound with a series win in mind.
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