The Orioles (66-69) continue their three-game road series at Sutter Health Park on Saturday, a day after Brandon Young and a late Baltimore rally beat the Athletics (53-82) 4-3 in extra innings.
Baltimore's win Friday came with some help from a face that hadn't been in the lineup in over a month. Blaze Alexander was activated off the 10-day injured list ahead of the opener, ending a stretch that began when a Lucas Erceg fastball fractured his left hand on July 12. He didn't ease back in — Alexander led off and played shortstop, allowing Gunnar Henderson to get just his second day off of the entire season, though Henderson came off the bench to help Baltimore win in extra innings.
Manager Craig Albernaz didn't hide how much the return meant to a club trying to close strong. "It's a shot of life for us, especially coming down the stretch here," Albernaz said before the game. Alexander was hitting .312 with an .807 OPS, four home runs and 29 RBI at the time of his injury, and his ability to play everywhere on the field except catcher, pitcher and first base gives Baltimore options it hasn't had in weeks. The Orioles optioned infielder Luis Vázquez to Triple-A Norfolk to clear a roster spot, though he'll stay with the club on the taxi squad.
Saturday's story belongs to Shane Baz, though, and it's not a flattering one on paper. His 14 losses lead all of baseball, but the number badly misrepresents how he's actually pitched — Baz carries a 4.04 ERA into the start, and Baltimore is averaging under 3.4 runs a game on nights he takes the ball, the third-worst mark of any starting pitcher in baseball. It's gotten to the point where you might think his teammates on offense don't like him.
Baz has stayed remarkably even-keeled about it. "Honestly, I think I can do a whole lot better," he said recently, before making his own case for what he can control. "When you score first as a team, you should be able to hold that lead. You're not always going to, but I feel like I should be able to. I feel like I'm good enough to hold that lead."
He's pushed back on being judged by his record at all: "I feel like I can go toe-to-toe with any starter in the league of not giving up first blood, not giving up runs first." Albernaz has echoed that sentiment publicly, noting that pitcher win-loss totals have fallen out of favor even in awards voting. "That's why the win-loss record for pitchers is not really factored into the Cy Young anymore," Albernaz said. "You can't control the wins and losses when you're pitching as far as run support."
In any case, Oakland provides an opportunity for Baz to get a win. The A's sit near the bottom of the American League West and sends right-hander Jack Perkins (3-9, 6.68 ERA) to the mound Saturday. A win would give Baltimore a series advantage heading into Sunday's finale and keep the club in position in the AL Wild Card race.
Probable Starters
Athletics: RHP Jack Perkins (3-9, 6.68 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Shane Baz (4-14, 4.04 ERA)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 10:05 PM ET at Sutter Health Park
Weather: 80°F, Partly Cloudy
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)