Rooker homer – Brent Rooker hit a three-run homer and Aaron Civale held Baltimore scoreless for five innings as the Athletics won 6-2.
Brent Rooker’s three-run homer early set the tone, and Aaron Civale delivered the kind of steady pitching the Athletics needed to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 on Saturday.
Civale, making his case for consistency on the mound, pitched five scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Shane Baz struggled through the middle of the game, allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings as the Orioles dropped their eighth game in 10 and drew boos from fans at home.
Rooker’s impact arrived in the third inning, when his fifth homer of the season pushed the Athletics ahead 4-0.. The outburst was part of a larger offensive rhythm for Oakland. which was also helped by Nick Kurtz. who doubled twice and reached base in his 33 straight games.. Kurtz opened the first inning with a two-base hit and later scored on a single by Shea Langeliers.
The Athletics extended the lead again in the fifth. turning a second look at the Orioles’ pitching choices into another scoring chance.. After Baltimore left Baz in to face the top of the order a third time. Kurtz doubled and stole third without a throw.. He then came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Langeliers. increasing the pressure on Baz as the inning unfolded.
That pressure escalated when Baz’s outing ended due to a pitch clock violation for ball four to Rooker. Even before the timing issue, Baltimore had already been forced into difficult matchups, and the Athletics capitalized on the opportunities they created.
Baltimore’s day also reflected how much is riding on the team’s investment in its pitching staff.. Baz was the Orioles’ major offseason addition to a rotation that needed reinforcement.. The report of the contract underscores the organization’s willingness to commit: Baltimore signed Baz to a $68 million. five-year deal that went beyond what the front office had previously been prepared to spend on a pitcher.. Still, through eight starts this season, his 5.48 ERA has highlighted the challenge of turning that investment into immediate results.
Despite falling behind, the Orioles threatened in the fifth inning, loading the bases with nobody out.. Civale managed to escape the jam by getting Adley Rutschman to strike out. while Pete Alonso and Samuel Basallo both sent shallow flyballs that kept Baltimore from drawing closer.. The ability to weather that early momentum was a key reason the shutout lasted longer than it might have otherwise.
In the eighth inning, Baltimore finally cracked the scoreless stretch.. Pinch-hitter Colton Cowser delivered a two-run single to break up the shutout. giving the Orioles a path to a more respectable deficit.. Colby Thomas added the final run for Oakland in the ninth with a single that closed out the scoring.
The game also featured a notable equipment-and-rules wrinkle involving video challenges. Jacob Wilson of the Athletics unsuccessfully challenged called third strikes in both the second and third innings, meaning the team could not request any further ABS reviews after those unsuccessful attempts.
Looking ahead, the Athletics aim to complete a three-game sweep on Sunday. Luis Severino (2-3, 4.15 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for Oakland, while Chris Bassitt (2-2, 5.91) starts for Baltimore against the franchise he played for from 2015-21.
For Baltimore, the loss leaves the Orioles still searching for steadier performances as the season moves forward.. The combination of early deficits. an inability to hold leads or prevent rallies. and the boos from the home crowd all point to a team trying to find answers quickly in a demanding stretch of results.
Brent Rooker Aaron Civale Athletics vs Orioles MLB results Shane Baz Nick Kurtz