Baltimore OriolesvsAthletics
BAL 5/ATH 3
Things to say
The Orioles beat the Athletics 5-3 in Sacramento.
01
opener
O's took it 5-3 out in Sacramento. Baltimore's bats did just enough, kept the A's at arm's length all night. Never really felt in doubt after they got the lead.
02
key player
The heart of the O's order carried it — a couple of the middle guys left the yard and drove in the runs that mattered.
03
hot take
Honestly the A's aren't as bad as that 53-83 makes them look. They hang around in these games, they just can't close.
04
deep cut
Playing in that minor-league park in Sacramento is such a weird look for a big-league club. The ball flies there too, so 5-3 is almost a pitchers' win.
05
exit
Baltimore's still chasing .500 though — we'll see if they can string a couple together before the weekend's out.
The recap
Baltimore went into Sacramento and walked out with a 5-3 win on a getaway night, keeping the Athletics stuck in the AL West basement. The Orioles bats did their damage early and let the pitching hold serve, with the bullpen slamming the door once the starter handed it off.
Sacramento clawed back to make it a two-run game but never got the big hit with runners on to make it interesting. Nothing flashy — just Baltimore taking care of business against a team playing out the string at 53-83.