The Oakland Athletics’ offense showed up to the ballpark on Sunday, producing an 11-1 rout of the Baltimore Orioles.
With the game scoreless in the top of the third inning, the Oakland bats came alive and pushed six runs across the plate. After three straight walks to load the bases, designated hitter John Jaso ripped a double to right center field to score the first two runs of the afternoon.
A walk to shortstop Nick Punto loaded the bases again. Third baseman Josh Donaldson grounded into a fielder’s choice, which did not score a run but kept the bases loaded. Then left fielder Brandon Moss delivered with a grand slam to center field that traveled 423 feet.
This shot chased Orioles’ starter Ubaldo Jimenez from the game. He went 2 1/3 innings, yielding six runs on two hits and issuing five walks. His earned run average (ERA) mushroomed to 5.01.
The following inning, Jaso delivered again, this time with an RBI single to left.
In the fifth, The A’s loaded the bases again on three consecutive walks. Jaso drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI ground out to second base. Punto plated two runs with a single to left center field. This rally brought the score to 10-0.
After two ejections in the top of the eighth inning, Baltimore mustered a little offense. A walk and two singles loaded the bases for slugger Chris Davis. Davis drew a walk to bring in the lone Oriole run.
In the top of the ninth, first baseman Kyle Blanks got the Oakland lead back up to 10 with an RBI single to shallow center, reports to ESPN.
A’s starter Scott Kazmir picked up his seventh win of the year with seven shutout innings. He allowed four hits and two walks and struck out seven. He dropped his ERA to 2.20, which is good for third best in the American League, according to ESPN’s statistic leaders.
The A’s visit the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday, and the Orioles welcome the Boston Red Sox to Camden Yards.