Closer Craig Kimbrel Blows Save, Exits with Back Tightness as Athletics Rally Past Orioles

In a dramatic series-deciding game, the Oakland Athletics rallied to a 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles as closer Craig Kimbrel blew his second save in as many opportunities and departed with back tightness.

Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star, struggled from the start of his outing, throwing six straight balls before giving up a home run to Kyle McCann. Concerns about his health led to Kimbrel exiting the game, leaving Orioles manager Brandon Hyde unsure of the timetable for his return.

Despite the setback, the Orioles remain confident in their pitching staff, with catcher Adley Rutschman expressing faith in their abilities to bounce back from tough losses.

The Athletics capitalized on the opportunity, with Seth Brown hitting his second homer of the season and Brent Rooker driving in two runs off Orioles starter Albert Suarez. Tyler Nevin and McCann also contributed with home runs to secure the win for Oakland.

Pitcher Kyle Muller delivered a strong performance in relief, setting the stage for Lucas Erceg to earn his first career save and seal the victory for the A’s.

On the Orioles side, Ryan Mountcastle and Rutschman each hit their fourth home runs of the season, while Ramon Urias added another homer to Baltimore’s league-leading total of 44.

As both teams look ahead to their next series, the Athletics will begin a 10-game homestand against Pittsburgh, while the Orioles will face the Yankees with RHP Grayson Rodriguez on the mound. Despite the tough loss, both teams remain focused on bouncing back and continuing to compete at a high level.