What Went Wrong in Orioles’ 7-5 Loss to A’s

The Baltimore Orioles lost the final game of a three-game series to the Oakland A’s on Sunday by a score of 7-5. The Orioles seemed to do some things right, but what went wrong in this loss?

While the Orioles did have the go-ahead run at the plate with runners on first and second and one out in the top of the ninth, they could not pull off the sweep against the A’s.

It has not been the typical situation this season, but the Orioles’ offense did their jobs while the pitching staff did not. Bruce Zimmermann pitched 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs (three earned) while walking two and striking out four.

Adam Plutko gave the Orioles four outs of scoreless baseball, but Paul Fry and Travis Lakins Sr. combined to allow three runs over the final two innings, including Ramon Laureano’s go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth.

The offense was led by Trey Mancini’s 2-for-5 day, including three RBIs. Austin Hays continued to torture Oakland at the plate going 2-for-4 with another home run, his fourth of the season against the A’s. Ryan Mountcastle also had another multi-hit day and currently has a seven-game hitting streak and hits in eight of his last nine games.

With the loss, Baltimore drops to 13-15 on the season and currently sits in last place in the AL East.

The Orioles will head to Seattle for a three-game series against the Mariners before returning home to Camden Yards. Although there has not been a starter listed, Dean Kremer is the next man up in the rotation, so he may start on Monday night. The Orioles could also consider another bullpen day.

The first game of the series is set for a 10:10 p.m. EST start from T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wa.