Neal, A's shut down Orioles
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Rookie right-hander Zach Neal allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings in his second career major league start, and the Oakland A's defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum.
Neal (2-1) gave up two hits, struck out one, walked none and threw just 72 pitches.
With A's starters Sonny Gray and Jesse Hahn on the disabled list and Daniel Mengden back at Triple-A Nashville, Neal moved from the bullpen to the rotation to help fill the void. Neal pitched three perfect innings before Adam Jones hit a leadoff homer in the fourth, his 22nd blast of the season.
Left-hander Wade Miley (7-10) gave up two runs on six hits over six innings and lost his second straight start since being acquired by Baltimore from the Seattle Mariners on July 31. He struck out two, walked three and threw 99 pitches.
After Neal exited, Liam Hendriks threw 1 2/3 perfect innings with two strikeouts. John Axford pitched a scoreless eighth, allowing no hits while striking out two. Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless ninth for his 24th save.
The Orioles, who have lost the first two games in the four-game series, remain tied atop the American League East with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Jake Smolinski went 2-for-2, walked twice and scored a run for the A's. Danny Valencia had an RBI double.
Jones finished with two of Baltimore's three hits.
The A's (50-63) took a 2-0 lead in the third. Marcus Semien and Smolinski hit back-to-back singles with one out, and Valencia lined an opposite-field RBI double down the right field line. Khris Davis followed with a sacrifice fly.
The Orioles (63-49) cut Oakland's lead to 2-1 in the fourth when Jones lined a leadoff home run into the left field seats, Baltimore's first hit off Neal.
NOTES: Athletics RHP Sonny Gray (right forearm strain) said he was relieved to learn Monday night that he wouldn't need surgery, but has no target date to resume throwing. Gray was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, and an MRI exam on Monday revealed no structural damage. ... Orioles OF Steve Pearce (right elbow strain), who had a cortisone injection Sunday, missed his second straight game but said he's confident he can avoid a trip to the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter said he will decide whether to put Pearce on the disabled list before the Orioles begin a three-game series against San Francisco on Friday. ... Athletics INF Eric Sogard (left knee surgery) has resumed baseball activities, but manager Bob Melvin said he likely won't be able to play this season. ... Orioles LHP T.J. McFarland (left knee inflammation) was scheduled to pitch two or three innings Tuesday for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles, but their game was rained out. McFarland will pitch on Wednesday, weather permitting.