Kyle McCann’s two-run homer lifts Athletics over Orioles

Apr 29, 2024, 7:10 AM | Updated: 7:47 am

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 28: Kyle McCann #52 of the Oakland Athletics hits a two run home run in the n...

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Sactown Sports

Kyle McCann hit a two-run ninth inning homer and the visiting Oakland Athletics rallied past the Baltimore Orioles 7-6 on Sunday to take the rubber game of the series.

With Oakland trailing 6-5, Darell Hernaiz walked on four pitches against Craig Kimbrel (3-1) to open the ninth. After Kimbrel, who blew the save in Friday night’s game, threw his fifth straight ball, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde and the team trainer came out to check on him.

Kimbrel stayed in and went to full count on McCann, who then fouled off three straight fastballs before sending the fourth one just over the scoreboard in right.

KYLE MCCANN GO-AHEAD BLAST IN THE NINTH pic.twitter.com/aL94lzQ8pN

— A’s on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) April 28, 2024

T.J. McFarland (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Lucas Erceg worked the ninth for his first major league save.

Tyler Nevin had two hits, including a homer, and Seth Brown also homered for the A’s, who completed a 4-6 road trip.

Ryan Mountcastle had three hits including a two-run homer for Baltimore, and Adley Rutschman and Ramon Urias also homered.

Baltimore starter Albert Saurez lasted four innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. He struck out six.

Oakland starter Paul Blackburn allowed six runs on seven hits over four innings, striking out five.

With one out in the Oakland second, Brown homered to center to make it 1-0.

In the bottom half, Anthony Santander led off with a walk and Mountcastle singled him to third. Mountcastle scored when Cedric Mullins grounded into a force at second. Mullins stole second and scored on Colton Cowser’s double to give Baltimore a 2-1 lead.

Both teams plated three runs in the third.

Lawrence Butler walked with one out in the top half and Nevin singled. JJ Bleday doubled to right, scoring Butler and sending Nevin to third. Both runners scored on Brent Rooker’s bloop single to center and Oakland led 4-2.

Rutschman homered to center with one out in the bottom of the third. Ryan O’Hearn singled and, with two outs, Mountcastle homered to center for the Orioles to move ahead 5-4.

Urias homered off Blackburn with one out in the fourth to make it 6-4.

With two outs in the seventh inning, Nevin homered to left center off Danny Coulombe to pull the A’s within 6-5.

–Field Level Media