The A's failed in their attempt to sweep a 4 game series from the struggling Balitmore Orioles today before 14,451 fans at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum. Baltimore was led by the bat of Ty Wiggington and the arm of Brian Matusz.
Wiggington (2 for 5, 4 RBI, 3 R, HR) led an Orioles attack put eight runs the board against previously unscored upon Brett Anderson and three relievers. Anderson extended his scoreless innings streak to 14 before being touched for three runs in the third inning, one in the fourth and two more in in the fifth.
Matusz kept A's hitter off balance most of the day, striking out eight hitters and allowing three runs over 6 1/3 innings.
If we are looking for positives, the A's got 10 hits. Jake Fox and Travis Buck led the way with two each. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Ryan Sweeney and Adam Rosales turned in some sparkling defensive plays. Otherwise... The weather was nice?
Over all, a lackluster performance like today's is easier to take when the A's had already sealed a series victory by winning the first three games. Next up, the Yankees and, perhaps, the first real test of the young season.
{NOTE: Come back at 7:00pm for Nico's "Rivercats Roundup" of who stood out in yesterday's game at Raley Field.}