Sunday’s game with the Oakland Athletics was the polar opposite of Saturday’s game. The Orioles hit five homeruns on Saturday but were stymied on Sunday, managing just six hits, two for extra bases, in a 5-0 shutout.
The Orioles biggest scoring threat came in the first inning when Adley Rutschman (1 for 3, 1 BB) singled with one out and advanced to third on an Anthony Santander (2 for 4, 2B) double. The threat ended with Rutschman thrown out at home on a Ryan Mountcastle (0 for 4) fielder’s choice.
The Birds managed to get runners in scoring position only two more times. Once in the fifth when Jorge Mateo (0 for 2, 1 BB, 1 SB) walked and stole second base with two outs in the fifth and then when Cedric Mullins (1 for 4, 2B) doubled with two outs in the eighth inning.
Ramon Urias went 2 for 4.
Taking the loss was starter Spenser Watkins (4-6); the righty allowed 4 runs on 9 hits (1 homerun allowed) and walked 1 over 6.0 innings. He was removed for Nick Vespi (1.2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 K, 1 HR allowed) after surrendering a single to open the seventh inning.
2021 Record: 71-62, 2.5 GB Toronto for the third Wild Card spot
Next Game: a traditional DH on 9/5 vs. Toronto @ 1:05 pm