Game 141 Recap-
Oakland A’s used 3 home runs and got 7 shutout innings from rookie LH Greg Smith helping them defeat the Baltimore Orioles,5-1 Saturday at Camden Yards. The game was supposed to be part of a day-night doubleheader but Hurricane Hanna cost them the day session. “I’m just happy that we got the game in with the poor weather this morning,” A’s manager Bob Geren said. “To come out of here with a win, it’s a nice day for us. I’m happy that it cleared up and I’m happy that we took advantage of it.” DH Jack Cust(ex-Oriole) had 2 homers and 3 rbi while 3b Jack Hannahan also homered. Baltimore lost its 8th consecutive game and managed only 5 hits.
Smith(7-14,4.05) allowed only 3 hits but walked 5 and struck out 2. Ex-closer Huston Street(4.02) pitched then 8th and gave up the Os only run on a ground out by RF Nick Markakis after rookie LF Lou Montanez tripled. Oakland rookie sensation rh Brad Ziegler(1-0,0.54) allowed a walk in the 9th but erased it with a quick double play.
Veteran Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(8-9,5.26) did not have a strong outing and struggled mightly with his control. In 3 innings, he allowed 5 hits and 2 runs(1 on a Cust homer) but he walked 6(1 K). Out of his 84 pitches, he threw 42 strikes. “It’s been bad for the whole team. It’s not just me,” Cabrera said after his shortest outing of the season. “It’s been bad for everybody here. Right now, we are not playing good baseball.”Cabrera set the tone early, in a negative way, by walking the first 3 batters.
Star of the Game-
Cust- 27 homers on the season, an OPS sensation for you stat geeks!
Orioles Notes-
Oscar Salazar started at 3b for the ailing Melvin Mora and had a hit.. 1b Kevin Millar had 2 hits to pace the club… RHs Lance Cormier(2 and 1/3 innings,4.21), Dennis Sarfate(1 inning,4.71) and Jim Miller(0.00) all pitched shutout relief stints
Next Game-
Team is off Sunday, start series vs Cleveland at Camden Yards Monday
