Dramatic ninth-inning homer helps A’s end trip on positive note
Kyle McCann's two-run homer capped a dramatic rally as the Oakland A's earned a 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles
Oakland A’s catcher Kyle McCann stood momentarily and dropped his bat after he drove Craig Kimbrel’s 3-2 offering into the seats next to the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center field at Camden Yards.
McCann’s reaction was understandable, given that it was one of the most significant moments of his young big league career — and the A’s season so far.
McCann’s two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning capped a nine-pitch at-bat and a dramatic rally as the A’s earned a 7-6, series-deciding victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
“I knew (Kimbrel) was going to challenge me with some heaters, so I was waiting for a pitch that I could get,” McCann told NBC Sports California. “He wasn’t really around the zone in the beginning, so I was going to take until I got a strike. Then once I got that strike, it was battle time.
“I kept waiting for maybe a curveball, but I put my mind to the heater, and I was able to get a good pitch and put a good swing on it.”
Seth Brown hit his second homer, and Brent Rooker singled in two runs off O’s starter Albert Suarez in Oakland’s highest-scoring showing during a 10-game road trip, which ended with a 4-6 record.
Before McCann’s blast, Tyler Nevin connected off Danny Coulombe in the seventh to close Oakland’s deficit to 6-5.
“All of these guys today, they contributed in some way, shape or form to this win,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay told reporters, “which says a lot about that group out there.”
To start the trip, the A’s (12-17) were swept by Cleveland and split a four-game series with the American League East-leading New York Yankees before they took two of three from the Orioles (17-10).
The A’s 12 wins after 29 games record is their most since 2021, when Bob Melvin, now with the Giants, managed the team. Last season, the A’s needed until their 57th game, or Memorial Day weekend, to earn their 12th victory.
“To take two out of three from (the Orioles), it’s outstanding for us, really,” said A’s starter Paul Blackburn, who allowed six earned runs in four innings. “Just the way we’ve battled back in general this year, we never feel like we’re out of it.”
Kimbrel, the Orioles’ closer, blew his second save against Oakland in as many opportunities and left the game with tightness in his back.
Two nights after he threw only eight of 24 pitches for strikes, Kimbrel (3-1) threw six straight balls to open his outing, the fifth of which prompted the first visit from Orioles manager Brandon Hyde and team medical staff.
He stayed in to complete the at-bat against the rookie McCann, who drove a 95 four-seam fastball from Kimbrell for his second career home run. After a second mound visit, Kimbrel then exited, and Dillon Tate completed the inning.
The A’s bullpen threw 11 shutout innings during the series. Kyle Muller, Austin Adams, and T.J. MacFarland (1-0) combined for four innings of relief on Sunday before Lucas Erceg, with Mason Miller getting a day off, pitched a scoreless ninth for his first career save.
“He’s unbelievable,” McCann said of Erceg, a San Jose native. “His heater is top-top, he uses a sinker, and his best pitch is the changeup. He even mixed a few sliders in there. When he’s on, he’s on. Having him and Mason Miller as an eight-nine punch is scary.”
In nine innings pitched this month, Erceg has an ERA of 1.00. He’s struck out 10 and allowed five hits and five walks.
“This kid’s come so far from last season when we got him from Milwaukee,” Kotsay said of Erceg. “Put him in the bullpen. He had his ups and downs and started a little bit shaky this year, but you can see the confidence building each outing. … With Mason not available today, the job he did for his first career save is pretty awesome.”
Ryan Mountcastle and Adley Rutschman each connected for their fourth home runs for the Orioles. Ramon Urias also homered to bring Baltimore’s league-leading team total to 44 on the season and seven during the three-game set.
UP NEXT
Athletics: Begin a 10-game home stand against Pittsburgh on Monday when RHP Joe Boyle (1-4, 7.06 ERA) tries to go deeper than his last outing, a three-inning loss at the Yankees.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.