The Baltimore Orioles’ winning streak ended at six last night as they fell to the Athletics in Sacramento. So-so start for Dean Kremer, but it was a leadoff walk in the third that spiraled to do him in. Kremer’s line: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K.
The Athletics of course are playing their home games at Suter Health Park in Sacramento (in advance of their move to Las Vegas). Dylan Carlson grew up in the shadow of the park, and attended games there as a kid. Last night he played in his first game there as a pro, and he put the Orioles in the lead 2-0 with a two-run home run in the second inning. One inning later Ramon Laureano added a sac fly-RBI, and the Birds were out to a good start.
However Kremer walked the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the frame. That runner would score on Butler’s RBI-double. Before the inning ended, the Athletics had a 4-3 lead. Kremer on the inning (quote courtesy of Brendan Mortensen, MASNsports):
That was a mental error on the walk to lead off that inning, and it kind of spiraled from there. Butler hit a ball hard and Rooker hit a ball hard. Other than that, just some bad luck there.
But the O’s weren’t going quietly. Jackson Holliday tied the game at four with his fifth inning solo homer. But Rooker’s RBI-single in the hole half of the frame put Oakland back in the lead, culminating in a 5-4 Orioles loss.
There’s no shame in having a six-game winning streak snapped. The key is to start another one. The Orioles hope to begin one tonight.
The series continues later this evening at Suter Health Park. Charlie Morton gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by the Athletics’ Luis Severino. Game time is set for just after 10 PM.
Birdland Crush 