Center fielder Adam Jones had a rare and special night in Oakland, and it extended beyond his three-run homer in the first inning off former teammate Jason Hammel.
Jones is the first Oriole ever, and the first center fielder since Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, with five RBIs and two stolen bases in the same game.
According to the Orioles' PR staff, Jones became the sixth player since 1914 to record at least one home run, one walk, two steals and five RBIs in the same game, joining Matt Lawton (Pittsburgh, May 8, 2005), Gary Sheffield (Florida, Sept. 18, 1995), Glenallen Hill (Cubs, June 18, 1994), George Grantham (Cubs, April 23, 1924) and Rogers Hornsby (Cardinals, June 12, 1922).
The Orioles now lead the majors with 119 home runs this season and are on pace for 201. They've hit 65 since June 1, the most in the majors and 19 more than runner-up Cleveland.
Manny Machado has reached base safely in a career-high 18 straight games since June 22, batting .391/.440/.710. In his last 38 games since May 31, Machado is batting .313/.361/.537 to lift his average from .210 to .270.
The Orioles have committed just one error in their last 11 games since July 5 over 99 1/3 innings. They rank second behind Cincinnati with 44 errors and a .988 fielding percentage this season.
The Orioles are 12-5 on the road since May 31, batting .288/.345/.487 and averaging 5.8 runs per game.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting .312/.337/.439 in 40 road games this season.
Oakland's Sonny Gray is 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in two career starts against the Orioles, having allowed 11 runs and 12 hits in 8 2/3 innings.
Jones is 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs against Gray.
Kevin Gausman rationed the Athletics to one run and four hits over seven innings on June 7, with one walk and six strikeouts. Coco Crisp homered off him.
The opposing pitcher that day was Gray, who served up the home run to Jones in the first inning.
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