MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Adam Jones matched his career high of five RBIs to back Wei-Yin Chen, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 8-4 on Saturday night.
Jones hit a three-run home run in the first and had a two-run single in the fourth. Baltimore’s All-Star center fielder also walked and scored in the third.
Nick Markakis added four hits, while Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy also homered for the AL East-leading Orioles.
Chen (10-3) allowed three runs over five innings with four strikeouts in an uneven outing while winning his third consecutive start. The left-hander improved to 4-0 in five career starts against the A’s.
Brandon Moss hit his team-leading 22nd home run for Oakland.
One day after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth on Josh Donaldson’s game-ending home run, the Orioles took a 7-1 lead then held off another rally by the A’s to move 10 games over .500.
Jones provided a bulk of the offense with the second five-RBI game of his career. He also drove in five against the New York Yankees on July 28, 2008.
Markakis helped with his third four-hit game of the year. All four hits were singles. Markakis also reached on an error in the eighth.
The Orioles needed it on a night when Chen was inconsistent. The Baltimore starter retired the first six hitters before giving up Moss’ home run leading off the third. Chen also gave up a two-run double to Jed Lowrie in the fourth.
Lowrie added an RBI single in the sixth off reliever Brad Brach.
Zach Britton retired one batter for his 16th save of the year.
The A’s had won seven straight at home before losing in front of a sellout crowd on hand to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise’s 1989 World Series championship.
Oakland starter Jason Hammel (0-2) gave up five runs in two-plus innings, his second rocky outing since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs along with All-Star pitcher Jeff Samardzija in a trade on July 5.
Baltimore knocked Hammel out of the game with four runs in the first and another in the third.
Markakis singled to lead off the game, Steve Pearce walked and Jones followed with his 17th home run off the season to break an 0-for-10 skid. Hardy added a solo shot with two outs to make it 4-0.
Jones walked in the third and scored on Davis’ RBI double.
Davis hit his 16th home run in the ninth off former A’s closer Jim Johnson.
NOTES: Former A’s pitcher Dave Stewart threw out the ceremonial first pitch as part of the 25th anniversary celebration. Members of that team, including Jose Canseco and Rickey Henderson, laid flowers at the base of the pitching mound where Bob Welch’s No. 35 was inscribed during a pre-game ceremony. Welch, who played on the ’89 team, died of a heart attack in June. … Sonny Gray (10-3) pitches the series finale for Oakland and is unbeaten in his three July starts this season. RHP Kevin Gausman (4-2) pitches for Baltimore.
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