OAKLAND, Calif. — Ryan Sweeney hit a game-ending two-run single with one out in the ninth inning, giving the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
Adam Rosales singled leading off the ninth and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Rajai Davis struck out but reached base on a wild pitch before the Orioles opted to intentionally walk Daric Barton and load the bases. Sweeney, who earlier extended his major league-leading hitting streak to 12 games, singled to right to drive in pinch-runner Eric Patterson — he took over for Rosales at second base — and Davis, who easily scored ahead of the throw from Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis.
Jerry Blevins (2-0) pitched an inning for the win. Oakland has won nine straight home games against Baltimore. The A’s are 9-4, their best start after 13 games since 1992. They also moved five games over .500 for the first time since July 19, 2008.
The Orioles fell to 1-11, their worst start since opening the 1988 season with 21 consecutive losses, and lost third baseman Miguel Tejada to a possible leg injury in the sixth inning.
The Orioles scored a pair of unearned runs off Oakland starter Justin Duchscherer in the sixth inning then took a 3-2 lead on Ty Wiggington’s sacrifice fly in the eighth.
For the Orioles, it was another frustrating day in their terrible opening month.
Baltimore stranded nine runners and is 2 for 47 with men in scoring position this season. The Orioles also committed their fourth error in the last three games which led to an unearned run off Guthrie in the fifth.
Manager Dave Trembley has tried to maintain an upbeat attitude but bristled at repeated questions about his team’s lack of success before abruptly ending his pregame chat with reporters.
The team also held a players-only meeting in the clubhouse.
“I think it’s always a positive step when people step forward and exchange some thoughts and ideas,” Trembley said.
Tejada appeared to slow down slightly while running toward first base and went into a headfirst slide. He was safe but lay on the ground atop the bag in pain as a team trainer rushed out. After a brief examination, Tejada was removed from the game and replaced by pinch-runner Cesar Izturis.
Luke Scott then reached on Barton’s fielding error, and two batters later Garrett Atkins hit a two-run single to tie the game at 2.
Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie gave up six hits and two runs but pitched with runners in scoring position in all but one of his six-plus innings.
NOTES: Oakland RHP Michael Wuertz pitched one shutout inning in the minors while he continues to rehab from tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. … 2B Mark Ellis missed his sixth straight game because of a sore left hamstring and A’s manager Bob Geren said it’s 50-50 whether Ellis will play Sunday. … Baltimore RHP Koji Uehara (hamstring) threw batting practice without problems and will pitch in a simulated game Monday. … Oakland’s Davis had his 100th career stolen base in the third inning. … The A’s honored longtime Coliseum announcer Roy Steele before the game. Steele, 76, threw out the ceremonial first pitch and his likeness was featured on a bobblehead doll given away to fans.
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