Baltimore Orioles defeat Oakland Athletics 4-2 - MLB Update
Baltimore Orioles put in a good performance to defeat Oakland Athletics 4-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Monday, June 6.
After the Orioles’ starter, Brian Matusz pitched scoreless top of the first inning, designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero chipped to left-field for a lead generating RBI single off the A’s starter Gio Gonzalez. After another scoreless inning in the top by
Matusz, the Orioles’ batters posted three more runs to send the opposition under great pressure.
Matt Wieters drove in an RBI single to led off three-run third inning, then Nolan Reimold hit a sacrifice fly for an RBI single followed by third run by Nick Markakis. The 4-0 early lead in the bottom of the second inning made the Matusz stronger in the
later innings.
"Each one it's something different," manager Bob Geren said. "The majority were well-pitched games. Tonight we got two runs. It is a combination -- we have not played well the past week, the total package. We have to play better."
Brian tossed another scoreless inning before giving the A’s third baseman Adam Rosales 396-feet long two-run homer that trimmed the lead to 2-4 in the top of the fourth inning. After allowing this, Matusz recuperated immediately and stabilised impetus to
extend his game until the fifth inning.
Matusz then completed his five innings pitching in which he allowed seven hits and walked two batters besides three strike-outs to earn his first game of the season.
"Well, I went out there and was able to go as deep as I can and give the team a chance to win. That's all you ask for," Matusz said. "Obviously I'd like to be able to go longer, help out the bullpen a little bit, but they did a great job."
Jim Johnson, who replaced Matusz up the middle of the sixth inning, threw one inning but did not allow any hit. Reliever Koji Uehara and closer Kevin Gregg each tossed a perfect eighth and ninth inning respectively to take their club to their 27th win of
the season.
Gonzalez, on the other hand, despite making strong come-back after allowing four early runs until the second inning, could make his sixth win of the season instead he lost his fourth game with 2.62 ERA. He gave away nine hits, walked one and struck-out three
batters on 103 pitches.
Closer Grant Balfour threw a perfect ninth inning but he was helpless to take the game back into the A’s side.
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