Jorge Mateo’s two-run single capped a three-run eighth inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat the visiting Oakland Athletics 5-2 on Friday night.
Anthony Santander drew a leadoff walk in the eighth against Domingo Acevedo (3-3). Ryan Mountcastle hit a slow grounder and second baseman Jonah Bride looked at second before throwing too late to first.
Ramon Urias bunted the runners over and pinch hitter Cedric Mullins was walked intentionally to load the bases. Pinch hitter Adley Rutschman walked on a 3-2 pitch to put the Orioles ahead and Mateo followed with a ground ball single to left.
Dillon Tate (3-3) pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for the win as the Orioles successfully opened a 10-game homestand as they compete for the third American League wild card spot.
Baltimore rookie Gunnar Henderson had two doubles in his third game and first at Camden Yards.
Starter JP Sears gave up two runs on six hits in six innings for the Athletics. He struck out five and walked one.
Orioles starter Dean Kremer turned in a similar effort, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings, while striking out six and walking one.
Henderson doubled down the right field line leading off the third. Robinson Chirinos followed with a double to left and the Orioles led 1-0. Sears retired the next two batters, but Mountcastle lined a single to right, scoring Chirinos to make it 2-0.
Oakland rallied in the fifth. Vimael Machin led off with a single and Dermis Garcia doubled, sending Machin to third. Kremer got the next two hitters before Cal Stevenson walked to load the bases. Tony Kemp then blooped a single to shallow center field, scoring Machin and Garcia to tie it 2-2 and ending a 25-inning scoreless streak by Baltimore pitchers.
The Orioles had players on second and third with one out in the sixth, but Jesus Aguilar grounded sharply to third and Machin threw home to get Mountcastle who was running on contact.
–Field Level Media