Fiers, A's eke past Orioles
Mike Fiers outdueled Andrew Cashner in a battle of veteran right-handers handcuffed by shaky defenses Monday night, and the host Oakland Athletics held on to beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 in the opener of a three-game series.
Fiers combined with Liam Hendriks and Blake Treinen on a three-hitter, helping the A's turn back the Orioles for the fourth time in five tries this season.
The difference-making runs came in a third-inning rally during which the ball left the infield just twice, including once on Ramon Laureano's flyout. The other time the ball reached the outfield, it was the result of an errant throw by Orioles catcher Chance Cisco, allowing two unearned runs to score.
With Baltimore up 2-1, Cashner (6-3) helped the A's get rolling by hitting leadoff hitter Josh Phegley.
After Marcus Semien walked, Matt Chapman reached on an infield single, loading the bases. Matt Olson grounded to Orioles third baseman Rio Ruiz, who forced Phegley at the plate for the inning's first out.
However, Cisco, trying to complete a double play at first base, threw the ball down the right field line, allowing Semien and Chapman to score and give Oakland the lead for good at 3-2.
After Oakland went up 1-0 in the first on doubles by Semien and Olson, the Orioles used two bunts and an A's misplay to take the lead.
Pedro Severino singled off Fiers (7-3) to open the second inning. Ruiz bunted to A's third baseman Chapman, who threw the ball errantly, allowing Severino to score and tie the game.
Ruiz wound up at third on the play, from where he raced home on a squeeze bunt by Hanser Alberto.
Fiers was pulled with two on and two out in the seventh inning. Hendriks came on to strike out Chris Davis to preserve the 3-2 lead.
In running his record to 5-0 over his past eight starts, Fiers was charged with two runs (both unearned) on three hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
Hendriks pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings before Treinen worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 16th save.
Cashner, who had missed his previous turn in the rotation because of a blister on his right middle finger, was charged with three runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out two.
The A's out-hit the Orioles 5-3 in the homerless affair.
--Field Level Media
