The Baltimore Orioles’ six-game win streak came to an end Friday night with a narrow 5-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics in West Sacramento. Despite early home runs from Dylan Carlson and Jackson Holliday, the Orioles couldn’t hold onto their lead as the A’s rallied in the third and fifth innings to edge ahead.
Adley Rutschman, the Orioles’ All-Star catcher, walked in the first and struck out looking on three pitches to start the ninth, as Oakland closer Mason Miller shut the door with triple-digit heat. Rutschman finished the game hitless, while Holliday provided a spark with a solo homer and finished a triple shy of the cycle.
Dean Kremer took the loss for Baltimore, allowing five runs on eight hits over 1/3 innings. The Orioles’ pitching struggles continued, with their team ERA now at.10—third-worst in the majors Baltimore sits at 25-37, fifth in the AL East, and will look to bounce back in Saturday’s series finale against the Athletics.
