Clevenger Hits 3-Run Homer To Lead Orioles Past A's 4-2
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Steve Clevenger hit a three-run homer, Chris Tillman won his seventh straight decision and the Baltimore Orioles completed a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 4-2 victory Monday night.
Clevenger, who was called up Friday from Triple-A Norfolk, got his first homer since June 29, 2012. He also had a career-high four hits in Baltimore's 18-2 victory Sunday.
Tillman (9-7) allowed two runs on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts over seven innings. He has not lost since May 31.
Oakland went winless on its seven-game East Coast road trip.
Darren O'Day had a perfect eighth and Zach Britton pitched the ninth for his 29th save.
Oakland left-hander Sonny Gray (12-5), who was scratched from his previous start with back spasms, allowed four runs (one earned) on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.
Danny Valencia provided the A's with a 1-0 lead when he homered to lead off the second. Valencia has a hit in nine of 10 games since being claimed off waivers Aug. 3.
The A's entered the game leading the majors with 96 errors. Another miscue helped the Orioles take the lead in the fourth when a grounder by Chris Davis rolled through second baseman Eric Sogard's legs. Jonathan Schoop followed with a single and then Clevenger connected for the three-run shot.
In the fifth, Sam Fuld was called out for running out of the baseline. He and manager Bob Melvin were then ejected by home plate umpire Brian Knight for arguing the call.
The A's pulled to within 3-2 on a homer by Mark Canha in the sixth. Caleb Joseph responded with a two-out, RBI double for the Orioles, who got their first four-game sweep of the A's since 1987.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics: LF Coco Crisp, who returned from the DL on Aug. 3 after missing two months with a neck injury, was held out of the lineup because of hip and ankle soreness. Crisp collided with shortstop Marcus Semien on Sunday.
Orioles: C Matt Wieters has missed five straight games with a strained right hamstring, but he ran the bases Monday and could be available Tuesday, manager Buck Showalter said.
ON DECK
Athletics: Left-hander Felix Doubront (1-1, 4.59 ERA) gets the start as Oakland returns home to face the Dodgers and their ace, Clayton Kershaw.
Orioles: Kevin Gausman (2-4, 4.48 ERA) takes the mound in the series opener against the Mets. Gausman allowed three runs over seven innings with a career-high eight strikeouts in his last outing against Seattle. That performance was overshadowed by the Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma, who threw his first career no-hitter.
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