Is Zach Back? 7/27 Johnson blows save, O's lose 14-9

Written by Michael Williams

Coco Crisp - CF
Jonny Gomes - DH
Josh Reddick - RF
Yoenis Cespedes - LF
Chris Carter - 1B
Brandon Inge - 3B
Derek Norris - C
Brandon Hicks - SS
Jemile Weeks - 2B

Jarrod Parker - RHP (7-4, 3.00 ERA)



Nick Markakis - RF
J.J. Hardy - SS
Jim Thome - DH
Adam Jones - CF
Chris Davis - LF
Wilson Betemit - 3B
Mark Reynolds - 1B
Omar Quintanilla - 2B
Taylor Teagarden - C

Zachary Britton - LHP (1-0, 3.60 ERA)

Zach stunk, then he got better. Chris Davis homered and Adam Jones brought the Orioles back to a 6-5 lead.

Then Zach got two out. And he walked a guy. Buck brought in Socolovich probably because he had been up when Zach stunk the first time. He walked two guys. And gave up a bases clearing double past a stumblin', bumblin', rumblin', Chris Davis. 

ORIOLES ARE LOSING! 8-6 After that nice comeback and that Adam Jones first pitch laser beam.

In the immortal words of Nancy Kerrigan "Why? Why?" Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ?"

Of course Lindstrom is dominant when he is brought in for the next inning.

Orioles look to return the damage, but unlike Buck, The A's bring in a reliever and turn Betemit around. He K's on three pitches. He has been striking out a lot I think.

With two down J.J. Hardy and Jim Thome each singled in runs against Billy Beane's closer du jour.

The game is now tied at 8-8.

Adam Jones has a 2-2 count with a runner on third base. 3-2 runners first and third. Foul, Foul.

He was hit by a pitch on his elbow.

Chris Davis at the plate with the bases juiced and two away. 1-1 count. 1-2. 

Bases loaded. Line drive. Left field. Hardy scores. Thome out at the plate.

Jim Johnson time.

Orioles 9 Athletics 8

Reynolds made a great play to record a ground out. A ground ball single through the middle. A 3-1 pitch to Inge. A ground ball base hit. Two on, one out.  The A's DO use a pinch runner at second base, unlike Buck, for Thome. A bad bounce base hit between first and second and the game is 9-9. 

Johnson walks a man to load the bases with still only one out. Man. Johnson has nothing tonight. A single to left field and the A's have retaken the lead. It's a four run inning on Jim Johnson with another sharpe single. Just devastating.

Ayala relieves Johnson and gives up two inherited runs.

A's 14 Orioles 9

Orioles have two on and one down. Teagarden strikes out. Two down. A Markakis smash to the wall is caught by Reddick. Ends the game and goes down in a heap. He was helped minutes later. The circumstances made it seem as if the Orioles had not really blown this very important WC standings game. But they did.

Orioles lose 14-9

Box Score

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