Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (32) waits for the pick off throw as the Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson dives back into the bag in the bottom of the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sat Jun 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento A’s (25-41) had a perfect first inning scoring four runs and taking a 4-1 lead in game two of their series with the Baltimore Orioles (26-37). They were unable to score for the rest of the game while Baltimore scored in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings winning the game 7-4 Saturday night at Sutter Health Park. Luis Severino struggled giving up eight hits and five runs.

After a hard fought win 5-4 in Friday’s game one, the A’s took on the Baltimore Orioles in game two of their three game series Saturday night. The A’s took a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth inning and held on for the win, their second win in a row.

Game recap: The Orioles were first up on the scoreboard taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Ryan O’Hearn sacrificed Jackson Holliday home for the early lead. The A’s pushed back in the first inning scoring four runs and taking a 4-1 lead.

Jacob Wilson singled Lawrence Butler home to tie up the game 1-1. Willie MacIver also singled Wilson home taking the lead 2-1 . The A’s continued to extend their lead when JJ Bleday walked with the bases loaded; Brent Rooker came home and the A’s tacked another run onto their lead. Tyler Soderstrom scored when Max Schuemann singled and the A’s had a great opening inning leading 4-1. It was a solid start for the A’s.

It was of course early in the game but it was really looking good for the Athletics going into the fourth inning still leading 4-1. This game really got sidetracked in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

The Orioles pulled to within a run in the fourth inning 3-4 scoring two runs. A familiar name, Ramon Laureano sent the ball soaring out of the park for a 2-run home run and the A’s were clinging onto a one-run lead.

Baltimore scored one run in the fifth inning to tie up the game 4-4. Gunnar Henderson singled Adley Rutschman home for the tie and the significant A’s lead had been erased but it was still early in the game.

Baltimore was not finished going on to score two more runs in the sixth inning via the Orioles second home run of the game. Colton Cowser hit a solo home run to take back the lead Baltimore had back in the first inning 5-4. Baltimore added to that lead in the sixth when Jackson Holliday reached first base on a throwing error by Logan Davidson.

Baltimore took the 6-4 lead into the seventh inning when Ramon Laureano struck again hitting a single driving Gunnar Henderson home for a 7-4 lead and the Orioles were cruising.

The A’s had not scored since the first inning and going into the bottom of the ninth inning they were down to their final three outs. They had a mountain to climb and it just did not happen. JJ Bleday struck out for the 3rd out and that was the ball game 7-4. The A’s were not able to put enough bats together to score again in the game. It all comes down to the rubber match tomorrow, the A’s looking for their first series win in quite awhile.

It was a tough game for starter Luis Severino allowing eight hits, five runs, four walks and five strikeouts. He pitched for 5 2/3 innings. Jacob Wilson and Lawrence Butler each had two hits apiece, both of them playing some great ball right now. The A’s unfortunately left 11 base runners; something that is going to hurt you every time.

The final game of the series, the rubber match is scheduled for 1:05 PM Sunday. The Orioles Tomoyuki Sugano will start this game with a 5-3 win/loss and a 3.04 ERA. At the time of this post, the A’s will start LHP Jacob Lopez (0-4 ERA 7.20). The A’s will be looking to take the series, something they have not done in quite some time.