What happened? Albert Suárez allowed two runs on four hits in six-plus innings as the Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics, 3-2, at the Oakland Coliseum on Friday night.
It was the third win in four games on the Orioles’ West Coast swing. They won two of three in Seattle.
Suárez (5-2) delivered his second straight strong start, walking one and striking out six. On June 28th, he pitched six shutout innings, giving up three hits against Texas.
Miguel Andujar homered in the first, and Shea Langeliers led off the seventh with his 16th home run.
“You have to let that go, and keep making pitches, forget about that and keep executing so you can go far in the game,” Suárez told reporters in Oakland. He’s given up just four home runs this season, and this was the first time he’s allowed two.
Suárez retired 12 straight batters after Zack Gelof’s single to start the second.
After Langeliers’ home run, Jacob Webb retired three straight Oakland batters in the seventh.
Yennier Cano allowed an infield single to Max Schuemann to begin the eighth. He stole second and moved to third on an infield out. Cano struck out Andujar, and Brent Rooker was out at first on a fine play by third baseman Jordan Westburg.
Craig Kimbrel, who blew two saves to the A’s (33-57) in April in Baltimore, retired them in order in the ninth for his 22nd save. It was his sixth straight perfect inning.
Gunnar Henderson singled to start the game, moved to second on Adley Rutschman’s grounder, stole third and scored on a wild throw by Langeliers.
Austin Hays, who had three hits, drove in Westburg with a second-inning double. Westburg began the inning with double. Rutschman’s bases-loaded walk gave the Orioles a 3-1 lead against Hogan Harris (1-3).
The Orioles were just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
“That game should have been blown open early in the game,” manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Oakland. “We’re getting guys on. We’re just not getting the big hits to break games open.”
The Orioles increased their lead in the American League East to three games with the Yankees’ 5-3 loss to Boston in 10 innings.
What made Suárez effective? Suárez told reporters in Oakland that his last two starts have allowed him to pitch with confidence.
“I got back to attacking the strike zone,” Suárez said. “The team was aggressive, swinging early, so that helped me to go longer in the game.”
Hyde has watched Suárez since spring training and been impressed with his pitch mix and moxie.
“He had a good curveball working tonight,” Hyde said. “The fastball had a bunch of life, like his last start. Just an outstanding six full innings and a great job by our bullpen.”
Watching Suárez from left field, Hays could see that he was on.
“He really knows how to pitch, and he has great stuff, too,” Hays said on the MASN postgame broadcast. “You put those two things behind him, it’s deadly, and I love playing defense behind him.”
What’s the word? “He’s a workhorse. He shows up every day, ready for the spotlight to be on him when the game’s on the line. The last three ones are the hardest ones to get. He’s nails in that situation. He’s one of the greatest to ever do it.”-Hays on Kimbrel.
What does it mean? For some reason, the Orioles have had trouble against the Athletics, and after Thursday’s bullpen collapse, it was nice to see a solid relief performance.
What’s the stat of the day? 24. The Orioles are 24 games over .500, equaling their season high.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? First baseman Garrett Cooper homered in Triple-A Norfolk’s 5-2 loss to Durham.
Starter Peter Van Loon allowed two hits in 4 1/3 scoreless innings and designated hitter TT Bowens homered as Double-A Bowie beat Richmond, 6-4.
Houston Roth allowed three runs in one inning in a rehab assignment as High-A Aberdeen lost to Greensboro, 6-4. Designated hitter Tavian Josenberger hit a two-run home run.
Outfielders Braylin Tavera and Stiven Acevedo each had two hits in Single-A Delmarva’s 7-4 loss to Fredericksburg.
Infielder Maxwell Costes was placed on Aberdeen’s injured list with a concussion.
What’s next? Cade Povich (1-2, 4.05) will start against Luis Medina (1-3, 4.80) on Saturday at 4:07 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com