Athletics 6, Orioles 5
Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki hit a pair of solo home runs and made a game-saving defensive play at the plate to end the game and spark the A’s to a 6-5 win over Baltimore at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Suzuki’s 11th and 12th homers of the season allowed Oakland to win the season series 5-4 and prevented the Orioles from winning their first series since June 24-26. Suzui also tagged out pinch runner Blake Davis for the final out; Davis tried to score from first base on a single to right that got past David DeJesus.
Brandon McCarthy (6-6) has won five of his last six decisions and showed no ill effect from being hit by a line drive on his right shin in his previous start. McCarthy allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings, the biggest mistake a solo home run by Nick Markakis, his 13th. Andrew Bailey pitched the ninth inning to earn his 15th save.
Alfredo Simon (3-6) struggled for the third consecutive start. He allowed six runs, five earned in 5 1/3 innings. Simon has allowed 16 runs and 29 hits over his last 15 2/3 innings.