Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Tommy Milone pitched into the seventh inning,
Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run homer, and the Oakland Athletics edged the
Baltimore Orioles, 3-2, on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.
Milone (13-10), who has won four of his last five starts, was charged with two
runs -- one earned -- on six hits over 6 1/3 frames. The lefty walked two and
struck out a pair.
Grant Balfour allowed Matt Wieters' leadoff single in the ninth before
retiring the next two batters. Catcher Derek Norris then threw out pinch-
runner Xavier Avery at second base on a steal attempt to end the game.
Jonny Gomes hit a go-ahead, fifth-inning RBI single for the AL Wild Card-
leading Athletics. They have won seven of eight overall and sit three games
behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West.
Joe Saunders (2-2) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings in the
loss. He walked two and fanned six.
Chris Davis hit a solo homer for the Orioles, who were coming off a sweep of
the Tampa Bay Rays.
Baltimore could have grabbed sole possession of the AL East lead with a
victory, but instead remained tied atop the division with the New York
Yankees, who lost to Tampa Bay earlier Friday.
New York and Baltimore are also tied for the AL's final wild card spot.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network