OAKLAND, Calif.—Heston Kjerstad hit a three-run home run, Grayson Rodriguez struck out eight over six innings, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 6–3 on Sunday.
Kjerstad’s shot to center field put the Orioles ahead 4–0 in the first inning. Anthony Santander hit his 23rd homer of the season earlier in the inning to start a two-out rally off A’s starter Mitch Spence (5–5). Kjerstad also reached in the third on an error by A’s center fielder JJ Bleday, who dropped a fly ball. Santander scored the Orioles’ fifth run on the play.
Kjerstad, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, Va., two weeks ago, is batting .295 in 44 at-bats this season.
“He’s given us a boost,” Baltimore Manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s got that power potential, and he’s taking good at-bats.”
Kjerstad said that he’s finding a groove with more consistent playing time.
“The more at-bats you can get, the more consecutive days you can play, it helps you get in a rhythm, or stay in a rhythm,” Kjerstad said.
Rodriguez (11–3) has won six of his past seven starts. He allowed three runs in six innings, and struck out eight or more for a club-leading fifth time this season.
The Orioles went 4–2 on a six-game road trip, denying the A’s a winning record this season against one of the best teams in the American League.
Hyde told the team the winning road trip represents “championship baseball” for the 57–33 Orioles.
“Being able to go to the West Coast, it’s not easy,” Rodriguez said. “If we’re able to go 4–2, that’s great. That’s going to carry us deep into October.”
Oakland still went 4–2 on its homestand, matching its best record on a homestand of six or more games over the past two years.
The A’s scored twice in the sixth on Tyler Soderstrom’s RBI double and Shea Langeliers’ sacrifice fly. They cut the deficit to 5–3 in the seventh, but the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson drove in an insurance run with a single in the ninth.
“The way that our bullpen came in and held it until the ninth, that’s the formula we were successful with earlier in the year,” A’s Manager Mark Kotsay said. “We believe that we can come back against teams, and we showed that today with some good at-bats, especially in the [later innings], which is a good sign.”
Craig Kimbrel earned his 23rd save of the season in front of an announced crowd of 14,524 at the Coliseum.
All-Star Selections
A’s closer Mason Miller, who leads all rookies with 14 saves, was selected to the American League team for the upcoming All-Star Game. Miller is the first A’s reliever to make an All-Star team since Liam Hendriks in 2019.“It’s really surreal, and it feels great to just look at the work I’ve done, to sit here and have that recognition now—it’s awesome,” Miller said.
Orioles starter Corbin Burnes made his fourth All-Star team, joining teammates Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman, who were selected as starters. Hyde and several players lamented that the Orioles, who lead the American League in wins, have only three All-Stars.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: Left-hander Kyle Muller (left-shoulder tendinitis) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list after four rehab appearances. In a corresponding move, the A’s optioned left-hander Jack O’Loughlin to Triple-A Las Vegas.Up Next
Orioles: Right-hander Dean Kremer (4–4, 3.93 earned-run average) is expected to pitch Tuesday when the Orioles open a three-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs.Athletics: Right-hander Joey Estes (3–3) is scheduled to start Tuesday when the A’s begin a three-game set in Boston.
