The Orioles have gotten pretty good at loading the bases with no outs.
This time, they did more than come away frustrated. They're taking a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth.
J.J. Hardy reached on an infield hit to open the fifth. Mark Reynolds grounded a single into left field and Robert Andino reached on a fielder's choice after laying down a bunt that was meant to advance two runners. Oakland starter Guillermo Moscoso tried unsuccessfully for the out at third.
Felix Pie followed with a run-scoring single into right-center field and Nolan Reimold walked to force in the go-ahead run.
Nolan Reimold?
Yes, he entered the game in left field in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Pie shifting to center and Adam Jones exiting with a sore right shoulder.
Two more runs scored on grounders from Nick Markakis and Vladimir Guerrero
Zach Britton isn't used to working with a three-run lead. He isn't used to the Orioles scoring any runs for him.
Let's see how he adjusts.
Update: The A's scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth, the last three on Josh Willingham's two-out homer with the count full. Oakland 5, Orioles 4.
So much for a quality start by Britton.
Oakland has 17 two-out hits in this series.
Down on the farm, Jason Berken didn't get the decision in Triple-A Norfolk's 6-5, 10-inning loss to Columbus. Berken allowed three runs and three hits, with four walks, two strikeouts and a hit batter, in 2 2/3 innings. He threw 67 pitches, 36 for strikes.
First baseman Brandon Snyder, back in the Tides' lineup, went 2-for-5.
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