Fan Interference Helps End Arozarena's Streak
OAKLAND, Calif. -- — Heston Kjerstad hit a three-run homer, Grayson Rodriguez had eight strikeouts in six innings and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 6-3 on Sunday.
Kjerstad’s center field shot put the Orioles ahead 4-0 in the first. Anthony Santander hit his 23rd homer of the season earlier in the inning to start the two-out rally off A’s starter Mitch Spence (5-5). Kjerstad also reached in the third on an error by A’s center fielder JJ Bleday, who dropped a fly ball for an error. Santander scored the Orioles' fifth run on the play.
Kjerstad, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk two weeks ago, is batting .295 in 44 at-bats this season.
“He’s given us a boost,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s got that power potential and he’s taking good at-bats.”
Kjerstad said that he's finding a groove with more consistent playing time.
“The more at-bats you can get, the more consecutive days you can play, it helps you get in a rhythm or stay in a rhythm,” Kjerstad said.
Rodriguez (11-3) has won six of his past seven starts. He allowed three runs in six innings, and struck out eight or more for the fifth time this season to lead the club.
The Orioles went 4-2 on a six-game road trip, denying the A’s a winning record this season against one of the best teams in the American League.
Hyde told the team the winning road trip represents “championship baseball” for the 57-33 Orioles.
“Being able to go to the West Coast, it’s not easy,” Rodriguez said. “If we’re able to go 4-2, that great. That’s going to carry us deep into October.”
Oakland still went 4-2 on the homestand, matching its best record on a homestand of six or more games over its past two years.
The A’s scored twice in the sixth on Tyler Soderstrom's RBI double and Shea Langeliers' sacrifice fly. They cut the deficit to 5-3 in the seventh, but Gunnar Henderson drove in an insurance in the ninth for the Orioles with an RBI single.
“The way that our bullpen came in and held it until the ninth, that’s the formula we were successful with earlier in the year,” A's manager Mark Kotsay said. “We believe that we can come back against teams and we showed that today with some good at-bats, especially in the (later innings), which is a good sign.”
Craig Kimbrel earned his 23rd save of the season in front of an announced crowd of 14,524 at the Coliseum.
ALL-STAR SELECTIONS
A’s closer Mason Miller, who leads all rookies with 14 saves, was selected to the All-Star Game on July 16 as the team’s representative. Miller is the first A’s reliever to make an All-Star team since Liam Hendriks in 2019.
“It’s really surreal, and it feels great to just look at the work I’ve done, to sit here and have that recognition now — it’s awesome,” Miller said.
Orioles starter Corbin Burnes made his fourth All-Star team, joining teammates Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman, who were selected as starters. Hyde and several players lamented that the Orioles, who lead the American League in wins, only have three All-Stars.
“When you win as many games as we have in the last year and a half, and you only get three guys in — and you’re on the pace that we are on right now, and won 101 games last year with a lot of the same group, you’d think you’d get more guys in” Hyde said. “I’m disappointed in that.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: Left-hander Kyle Muller (left shoulder tendinitis) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list after four rehab appearances. In a corresponding move, the A’s optioned left-hander Jack O’Loughlin to Triple-A Las Vegas.
UP NEXT
Orioles: Right-hander Dean Kremer (4-4, 3.93 ERA) is expected to pitch on Tuesday when the Orioles play the Cubs at home to start a three-game series.
Athletics: Right-hander Joey Estes (3-3) is scheduled to start on Tuesday when the A’s begin a three-game set at the Red Sox.
------
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
C2e9201a694c788df7582f8ced3a8c50 977133d5725d470e2f5d08afd5b438a1 Fjaellbo Wall Shelf Black 0925818 Ph158171 S5 ?f=g55deb5cbd47398b6236d1c3937bcc147 Lack Wandrek Wit 0676618 Pe718730 S5 ?f=xxxlCd5178a886b3e3587321525ba4fc18dd Lack Wall Shelf White 0675547 Pe718390 S5 ?f=g72a461c4666fd127f91910df6ed4bfd4 6b1e6cd324b93ee0ac242d210c53612a 337888d7d119bc1e284f3f0be7a87da2 0c765a8885bef9c6fdb608b2f22fa935 E33b9445 3424 431b 85c3 15910169d772 1.42ac798f29e19b37bfbee0903e47f90e ?odnWidth=1000&odnHeight=1000&odnBg=ffffffComplete Wall Shelves 20660 98e7507fd1a7c56fa1da5cf8b4fa1da8 Floating Corner Shelf 2 Tier Wall Shelves With Hidden Brackets By Lavish Home 2b35af4c 2af2 4ea2 B8b9 9f86a67a7b2e Ikea Wall Shelves Empty Grundtal Wall Shelf Stainless Steel 0539642 Ph139958 S5 ?f=xxxlHemnes Wall Shelf White 0861692 Pe718625 S5 ?f=g97ed0296eabd2d1fa55b6afc593b5141 Wall Shelf.JPG55818e8ce21e400ff9aa4d217893b3d6 E33b9445 3424 431b 85c3 15910169d772 1.42ac798f29e19b37bfbee0903e47f90e Wall Shelf.JPG00548837ad885362d013814b0eecca4625e92bfb $ 86.JPGLack Wall Shelf Unit White 0246565 Pe385541 S5 $ 86.JPGIdee Con Mensole Ikea 5 Image Asset Lack Wall Shelf Unit 0676618 PE718730 S5.JPG?f=s58c44c70bb2b3a0fb9115ab184e5cb24 F6ada2d39d66e5abbc7003104461ac4b A9cc3e92 2f75 4e35 8f19 02fa2baf1e78 1.9e46c77359595e3922a18265111e291a 576568b3d2deb45b025b1ca0