Matt Wieters shines as Baltimore Orioles rout Oakland Athletics 9-5 – MLB Update
Baltimore Orioles managed to avoid an embarrassing series sweep as they crushed the Oakland Athletics 9-5 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California on Sunday, September 16 in the finale of their three match series.
Starting pitcher Randy Wolf put up a decent show as he gave up just two runs in four solid innings. Relief pitcher Brian Matusz kept the pressure on Oakland, tossing up two perfect innings for his sixth win of the season.
Closer Jim Johnson held his nerves under pressure to ensure Orioles reach home safely.
After the A’s took the early 2-0 lead. Matt Wieters connected for a solo home-run to right in the second inning to put Orioles on the board. J.J. Hardy reached on infield single to third and Wieters smacked his second home-run in the fourth to help Baltimore
comeback from behind for a 3-2 lead.
Mark Reynolds, Manny Machado and Eric Chavez made valuable contributions in the fifth and the seventh to give Orioles complete control of the situation. Robert Andino and Chris Davis drove in runs in the ninth to help their side end the game on an extremely
aggressive note.
"It was a short conversation," Showalter said. "Matt means a lot to us and we like his presence in the lineup."
"I'm finally putting the barrel on a few balls," Wieters said. "That's something you are always working on and once the game comes around you have to let it go."
"Every game right now is a must win," Wieters said. "This is a tough place to win. To be able to get one, we'll take it, move on to Seattle and try to win a couple up there."
The A’s will be disappointed with the fact they were unable to complete a deserving series sweep. After beating Baltimore comprehensively in first two games, the momentum was certainly with them.
Credit should be given to the Orioles for staying focused even under pressure. It will be interesting to see if the Orioles can somehow extend their winning streak to reclaim the number one status on the American League East Division standings table.
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