Short-Handed Oakland A's Fall To Baltimore Orioles 9-6
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Mark Trumbo hit a grand slam for his major league-leading 32nd homer and drove in five runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 9-6 Thursday to avoid a four-game sweep.
The Orioles had been shut out for 17 straight innings and lost their lead in the AL East following three consecutive one-run losses before Trumbo sparked them.
The All-Star slugger hit an RBI single in a three-run fourth, then connected the next inning for his third career grand slam.
Chris Tillman (15-4) allowed two runs over seven innings for his first victory since July 21. He is Baltimore's first 15-game winner since Bud Norris and Wei-Yin Chen in 2014.
Zach Britton retired three batters for his AL-leading 35th save this season and his 37th consecutive dating to last season. The A's loaded the bases in the ninth after a replay overturn before Britton got Danny Valencia to ground out to end it.
Andrew Triggs (0-1) was the eighth different starter in eight games for the A's.
Triggs was pressed into duty because of Oakland's injury-riddled rotation. He gave up three runs in four innings.
Adam Jones homered for the Orioles and Pedro Alvarez drove in three runs.
Ryon Healy and Max Muncy homered for the A's. Yonder Alonso doubled in two runs.
STOP, DROP AND ROLL
In addition to his home run, Healy also made a stellar defensive play. The rookie third baseman made a diving stop of Manny Machado's hard-hit grounder in the first, then tumbled and rolled as he hit the infield dirt. Healy did a second 360-turn as he stood up and threw to first for the out.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy was given the day off, his first since July 24th. ... Manager Buck Showalter said a decision will be made soon whether to put OF Steve Pearce on the disabled list. Pearce received a cortisone injection in his right forearm earlier in the week but continues to be bothered by a flexor mass strain.
Athletics: RHP Jesse Hahn (strained right shoulder) will throw in the next few days and is likely to make one rehab start while on the disabled list before returning to the big league club.
UP NEXT
Orioles: RHP Dylan Bundy (5-3) pitches against the Giants in San Francisco on Friday. It will be his second career start in an interleague game.
Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea (3-7) faces Seattle in the opener of a three-game series in Oakland on Friday. He is winless over his previous six outings despite a 2.58 ERA during that span.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
