The Baltimore Orioles won a second consecutive game with the Athletics (53-83) in West Sacramento Saturday night by a score of 5-3. In both of those games the Orioles entered the bottom of what would be the last inning of the game with a two run lead. Whereas that two run cushion was needed on Friday when the A’s scored one run in the bottom of the 10th inning, it was there if needed on Saturday.
The big takeaway from the game was the fact that Shane Baz (5-14) earned the win. Saturday’s win was the first for Baz since June 12th, a span of 13 starts. Having made 27 starts so far this season, Baz has now won just two games over his last 14 starts, slightly more than one-half of those starts. He has received, on average, around 3.7 runs of offensive support in his starts which falls short of his 4.01 ERA.
Saturday night saw Baz allow 2 runs on 5 hits while walking 3, striking out 4 and hitting a batter across 5.2 innings. He exited the game after allowing a bases loaded walk with one out and hitting a batter with the bases loaded and two outs.
A quintet of relievers were required to finish the game. Among them was Cam Sanders, who allowed a run on a hit and a pair of walks in the eighth inning and Andrew Kittredge, who earned his second save in as many games despite allowing 2 hits and facing runners on first and third with two outs. Kittredge now has 8 saves, tying him with Ryan Helsley (60-day IL) for the team lead.
The Orioles opened the scoring in the third inning with a Leody Taveras (2 for 3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB, SB) one-out RBI-double that allowed Coby Mayo (1 for 3, 2 R, BB), who drew a walk to lead off the inning, to score.
Colton Cowser (1 for 4, 2 R, RBI) led off the fifth inning with his 13th homerun of the season, a 386 ft. shot to center field.
Dylan Beavers (1 for 4) and Mayo hit back-to-back singles and scored on a two-RBI double by Taveras with two outs in the sixth inning.
The Orioles capped off their scoring with a gift from the A’s. Cowser led off the inning by reaching base on a fielding error by Zack Gelof at second. Lawrence Butler retrieved the ball and allowed Cowser to reach third base with his throwing error; the ball left the field of play. Putting the bow on the gift was A’s reliever Elvis Alvarado, whose wild pitch brought Cowser home.
A series sweep on Sunday would finally get the Orioles to the elusive one game below .500 mark, a place where they have been before.
2026 Record: 67-69
Next Game: Sun. 8/30 @ 4:05 pm @ Athletics in West Sacramento, CA
