Oakland @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2013 ) Oakland 7, Baltimore 9
The Baltimore Orioles tightened up the American League wild-card race with a series-opening victory over Oakland and attempt to move within one game of the visiting Athletics in Saturday’s contest. Oakland has lost three consecutive games and has slipped 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL West as well as letting Baltimore and Cleveland close in for the second wild card spot. The Orioles are 4 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL East.
Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts hit his sixth career grand slam and outfielder Adam Jones homered and had three RBIs in Friday’s 9-7 victory. Another pleasing development was closer Jim Johnson retiring the side in the ninth inning on nine pitches (eight strikes) to record his 40th save after blowing his previous three opportunities. Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp delivered his second four-hit outing of the season, going 4-for-5 with a homer and three runs scored.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (9-6, 3.71 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Chris Tillman (14-4, 3.79)
Parker gave up one run and tossed his first career complete game while beating Seattle in his last outing. He has won seven consecutive decisions and is unbeaten in 15 starts since losing to Texas on May 22. Parker is 1-1 with a 7.27 ERA in three career starts against Baltimore and lost on April 25 when he was touched up for six runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Tillman has enjoyed a fine season but is in the midst of a three-start winless string. He lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in his last outing when he gave up four runs and five hits in six innings. Tillman gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings while beating Oakland on April 27 and has a 2.61 ERA in 10 1/3 career innings against the Athletics.
WALK-OFFS
1. Roberts’ homer was his first since July 11 and the sixth grand slam of his career.
2. Athletics OF Josh Reddick (wrist) missed Friday’s game but the club is hopeful he will return before the series concludes.
3. Orioles 1B Chris Davis is 3-for-8 against Parker with two homers, one double and five strikeouts.
PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Athletics 4