As often as Baltimore Orioles’ starters have pitched to quality starts this year only to lose, maybe it was time for the ball to fall the other way for once. Chris Bassitt probably didn’t deserve to be the winning pitcher in Sacramento today. But he was – by default. Bassitt’s line: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K.
Gunnar Henderson put the Athletics on notice early with a solo home run in the first. But the A’s weren’t going quietly this afternoon. Butler’s two-RBI double gave them a 2-1 lead. Before the O’s really got things going, the A’s extended the lead to 5-1 by the end of the third.
Yet as quickly as things fell apart, things were different. Pete Alonso and Henderson singled to start the fourth. That brought Coby Mayo to the plate, and with one swing he changed the trajectory of the ballgame. His three-run homer cut the lead to 5-4.
One inning later the O’s put two on with two out. Gunnar Henderson strode back to the plate. You could argue it’s moments like these which speak to Gunnar’s value to the organization. Because his three-run homer gave the Birds a 7-5 lead.
Pete Alonso led off the eighth getting hit in the head. He was removed, and manager Craig Albernaz said after the game that he would be fine. But in that sequence, Henderson came back up to bat. And his RBI-triple extended the lead to 8-5
The bullpen closed out an 8-5 win, and a sweep of the A’s in Sacramento. The Birds now sit one game under .500. More importantly, only one game back of Cleveland for the final Wild Card spot.
The O’s now head to Denver to open a three-game set against Colorado at Coors Field tomorrow night. The Orioles’ starter is TBD, but Colorado will throw Tanner Gordon. Game time is set for 8:40 PM.
Birdland Crush 