OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Ryan Sweeney hit a game-ending two-run single with one out in the ninth inning, giving the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
Adam Rosales singled leading off the ninth and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Rajai Davis struck out but reached base on a wild pitch before the Orioles opted to intentionally walk Daric Barton and load the bases. Sweeney, who earlier extended his major league-leading hitting streak to 12 games, singled to right to drive in pinch-runner Eric Patterson - he took over for Rosales at second base - and Davis, who easily scored ahead of the throw from Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis.
Jerry Blevins (2-0) pitched an inning for the win. Oakland has won nine straight home games against Baltimore. The A's are 9-4, their best start after 13 games since 1992. They also moved five games over .500 for the first time since July 19, 2008.
The Orioles fell to 1-11, their worst start since opening the 1988 season with 21 consecutive losses, and lost third baseman Miguel Tejada to a possible leg injury in the sixth inning.
The Orioles scored a pair of unearned runs off Oakland starter Justin Duchscherer in the sixth inning then took a 3-2 lead on Ty Wiggington's sacrifice fly in the eighth.
NOTES: Oakland RHP Michael Wuertz pitched one shutout inning in the minors while he continues to rehab from tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. ... 2B Mark Ellis missed his sixth straight game because of a sore left hamstring and A's manager Bob Geren said it's 50-50 whether Ellis will play today.
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