A back-and-forth game that featured 31 hits and lasted four hours was decided by one final outburst by the Athletics.
Jemile Weeks hit an RBI single to give Oakland the lead during a six-run ninth inning against All-Star closer Jim Johnson, and the Athletics outlasted the Orioles, 14-9, on Friday night in Baltimore.
Thanks mostly to Johnson, the Orioles were 41-0 when leading after eight innings. Now they’re 41-1.
The Orioles trailed, 5-0, in the second inning and 8-6 in the eighth before rallying on each occasion. But Baltimore had no answer for Oakland’s big ninth.
‘‘It was like a heavyweight fight. Both teams just battled. It was one of the better games I've seen,’’ Athletics manager Bob Melvin said.
After Baltimore scored three runs in the eighth to go ahead, 9-8, Oakland pounded Johnson (1-1) for six runs on six hits and a walk in the ninth. It was Johnson’s third blown save in 33 opportunities.
Chris Carter and Brandon Hicks homered for the A's, who have won 12 of 14. Seth Smith tied a career high with five RBIs.
Adam Jones and Chris Davis homered and J.J. Hardy had three RBIs for the Orioles, who have lost four of five.
Cardinals 9, Cubs 6 — Visiting St. Louis became the first team in eight years to hit a homer in each of the first five innings, and the Cardinals won for the seventh time in eight games.
Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Lance Berkman, Matt Carpenter, and Allen Craig all went deep off Cubs starter Travis Wood (4-6), who matched a team record with the five homers allowed. The previous team to homer in each of the first five innings was Houston against Colorado on Oct. 2, 2004, according to STATS LLC.
Lance Lynn (13-4) tied for the National League lead in wins despite allowing six runs and eight hits in five innings.
Braves 6, Phillies 1 — Ben Sheets made it three wins in three starts for host Atlanta, and Brian McCann took Philadelphia ace Cole Hamels deep for a three-run homer.
Dodgers 5, Giants 3 —Los Angeles newcomer Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to beat host San Francisco in a matchup of the top teams in the NL West.
Reds 3, Rockies 0 — At Denver, Bronson Arroyo (6-6) pitched effectively into the seventh as Cincinnati picked up its eighth victory in a row. The Reds tied Washington for the best record in the NL.
Brewers 6, Nationals 0— Corey Hart and Aramis Ramirez homered and Mike Fiers (4-4) tossed 6⅓ scoreless innings to help host Milwaukee break a seven-game skid. Washington had won six straight.
Pirates 6, Astros 5 — Starling Marte tied the game for visiting Pittsburgh with a sacrifice fly in the ninth and Drew Sutton then scored the winning run on a wild pitch. Houston has lost 11 straight, matching the franchise record.
White Sox 9, Rangers 5— Chris Sale (12-3) rebounded from a shaky start and visiting Chicago got homers from Kevin Youkilis and Alexei Ramirez.
Padres 7, Marlins 2 — Yasmani Grandal hit a bases-clearing triple and Yonder Alonso drove in two runs as visiting San Diego sent Miami to its eighth loss in nine games.
Angels 3, Rays 1 — Albert Pujols had a two-run double for host Los Angeles and Dan Haren (8-8) won his second straight start since coming off the disabled list.
Blue Jays 8, Tigers 3 — Carlos Villanueva won his fourth straight start to improve to 6-0 and Jeff Mathis stroked a three-run triple for host Toronto.
Diamondbacks 11, Mets 5 — Visiting New York lost for the 13th time in 15 games, buried by Arizona’s six-run second. Willie Bloomquist had two RBI singles for the Diamondbacks, who have won six of seven.
Twins 11, Indians 0— Scott Diamond (9-4) tossed a three-hitter and Justin Morneau and Josh Willingham hit three-run homers in a home romp for Minnesota.
Mariners 6, Royals 1 — John Jaso drove in four runs and Blake Beavan (6-6) pitched into the seventh to lead Seattle at home.