A’s snap losing streak, crush O’s, 13-2

Baltimore — The Oakland A’s snapped their four-game losing streak Tuesday evening at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, crushing the Orioles, 13-2.

Oakland pounded out 14 hits, four of those by second baseman Jurickson Profar, who came into the game with just six hits all season. Profar also collected five RBIs and scored three runs on the evening.

The A’s certainly had their hitting shoes on, but they also took advantage of a few breaks and some mistakes by the Orioles, especially early.

Orioles starting pitcher John Means (L, 1-1) deserved a much better fate as he was collared with his first loss of the season.

In the top of the second inning Oakland sent six men to the plate, each failing to get the ball out of the infield, before shortstop Mark Semien stepped in to the batter box.

Designated hitter Khris Davis led off the inning with a check swing roller and beat Orioles first baseman Rio Ruiz to the bag. Left fielder Chad Pinder followed with a swinging bunt single.

Means then retired the next two batters, with Davis and Pinder moving up a base. Profar would follow with a RBI infield single.

Catcher Ryan Phegley would hit a ground ball to third baseman Hanser Alberto, who committed a throwing error, scoring Pinder, but, more importantly, extending the inning.

Semien would then make the Orioles pay, blasting a three-run home run to left field off Means, giving the A’s a 5-0 lead.

Means should’ve been out of the inning allowing only one run, but would only last three innings before being relieved.

Meanwhile, his counterpart, Brett Anderson (W, 3-0), had very little trouble silencing the Oriole bats, which broke out for 12 runs the night before.

Anderson scattered seven hits and allowed only two runs, both coming on a double by catcher Pedro Severino in the bottom of the 7th, in 6.2 innings of work. At one point, Anderson retired 11 batters in a row.

Severino’s double pulled Baltimore to within four, at 6-2, but the bullpen woes for the Orioles would continue.

After allowing a run in the top of the 7th, LHP Richard Bleier came out for the 8th.

Bleier struck out Davis to open the inning but then allowed two singles and hit batter to load the bases. RHP Miguel Castro was called upon by Manager Brandon Hyde to relieve Bleier.

Castro, though, continued his struggles. He allowed all three inherited runners to score on a single by Profar and a double by Phegley.

A sacrifice fly by Semien scored Profar, blowing the game wide open, 10-2.

Castro would be no better in the 9th. He allowed three runs, on three hits, a walk and two balks in the inning.

Baltimore continues their home series against the A’s tomorrow evening. RHP Dan Straily (0-0, 33.75) is scheduled to start for the Orioles against RHP Frankie Montas (1-1, 2.45). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.