MLB Standings: Giants, Athletics Remain Firmly In Playoff Picture With Weekend Series Wins

Both the Giants and the Athletics had key victories in two important series this past weekend.

Athletics Vs. Orioles Final Score: Oakland Can't Complete Sweep In 9-5 Loss

The Oakland Athletics decided to take pity on the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. The A's didn't manage the sweep as Baltimore won by a final score of 9-5. The win keeps the Orioles just one game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.

The A's struck first as Josh Reddick connected for a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. The home run was the 29th of the year for Reddick.

The Orioles answered back with a run in each of the following four innings. Matt Wieters homered in the second, J.J.Hardy tied the score with an RBI single in the third, Wieters homered for a second time in the fourth to give Baltimore the lead and Mark Reynolds drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth to end the day for Oakland starter Dan Straily.

The O's delivered the killing blow in the seventh inning with another three runs, thanks to an RBI double from Manny Machado and an RBI single from Endy Chavez that made it 7-2.

Stephen Drew hit a home run in the eighth inning to get two of those runs back for Oakland and close the gap to 7-4, but RBI hits in the top of the ninth from Robert Andino and Chris Davis pushed the O's lead back to 9-4. The A's attempted to mount one more comeback in the bottom of the ninth and pushed a run across on an RBI single from Reddick, but couldn't manage any more.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For all news and information regarding the Baltimore Orioles, please visit Camden Chat. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

Athletics Vs. Orioles: Oakland Looks To Sweep Baltimore In Key Late-Season Series

Looking to complete the three-game sweep, the Oakland Athletics send Dan Straily to the mound to take on the resurgent Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon at O.co Coliseum at 1:05 p.m. PST.

The A's used a strong start from Jarrod Parker and a homer from Stephen Drew to top the Orioles on Saturday. The Athletics scored all five of their runs in the third inning on Saturday as Oakland built their lead on Baltimore to three games in the American League Wild Card race. The Orioles currently occupy the second Wild Card spot, and both teams would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

The Athletics are also just two games back of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

The rookie Straily will look for his third consecutive victory in just his fifth career start on Sunday. The Orioles counter with starter Randy Wolf, who looks to help Baltimore salvage the final game of the three-game set.

For more Athletics coverage, check out Athletics Nation.

Athletics Vs. Orioles Final Score: Oakland Captures Series With 5-2 Win

The Oakland Athletics managed to both strengthen their place in the playoff race and play a bit of a spoiler on Saturday night, as they defeated the Baltimore Orioles for the second straight game. With the 5-2 win, the A's captured the three-game series and also knocked the Orioles out of first place in the American League East.

Mark Reynolds doubled home a run in the second inning to get the O's on the board first. Baltimore made it a 2-0 lead in the third with a Nate McLouth homer. That would be the last run that the Orioles would be able to bring across, however, as the A's scored five quick runs in the bottom of the third inning to pretty much put the game to bed for the rest of the evening.

Stephen Drew led off the bottom of the third with a home run to cut the lead in half. Josh Reddick added an RBI single to tie things up. Yoenis Cespedes hit an RBI single to follow up and give the A's the lead and Chris Carter capped things off with a two-run double.

Jarrod Parker picked up the win to improve to 11-8 after going seven innings and giving up two runs on seven hits and a walk. The A's try for the sweep on Sunday.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For all news and information regarding the Baltimore Orioles, please visit Camden Chat. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

Athletics vs. Orioles: Jarrod Parker, Zach Britton Battle On Saturday

The Oakland Athletics are coming off a wild 3-2 victory over the Orioles on Friday night, and now they'll turn to one of their promising young pitchers to clinch at least a series victory. Jarrod Parker has been very impressive in his debut season with the club, entering Saturday's game with a 10-8 record and 3.56 ERA. In his last three starts Parker is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched.

The Orioles will give the ball to young southpaw Zach Britton. He does not have great overall numbers this season (5-2, 4.72 ERA), although he's been great in recent weeks with a 2-1 record, 2.95 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 18 innings. Most importantly, it seems like Baltimore always plays well when he's on the mound.

First pitch at Oakland Coliseum is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PT this evening.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For all news and information regarding the Baltimore Orioles, please visit Camden Chat. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

Athletics Vs. Orioles Final Score: Oakland Opens Big Series With 3-2 Win

The O.co Coliseum showed plenty of life on Friday night as a big American League Wild Card showdown kicked off between the Oakland Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles. The A's managed to hang on to open the three-game series with a 3-2 win.

Manny Machado scored on a fielding error by Josh Donaldson in the third inning to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. The A's answered back in the bottom of the fourth, as Yoenis Cespedes launched a two-run homer -- his 19th of the year -- to put Oakland on top, 2-1.

The O's tied things up in the top of the fifth inning as Chris Davis led off the inning with his 26th home run of the season. The score did not stay tied for long. In the bottom of the fifth, Jonny Gomes hit an RBI single to put Oakland back on top for good.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For all news and information regarding the Baltimore Orioles, please visit Camden Chat. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

Orioles vs. Athletics Lineups: Brandon Moss Gets Takes A Day Off

It is starting to get a bit complicated at the top of the Wild Card standings at the Oakland Athletics play host to the surging Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles have one three straight to sit on top of the AL East standings with the New York Yankees, and sit in a three-way tie with the A's and the Yankees for the Wild Card lead. Brandon Moss is out of the line-up today with Chris Carter taking his place at first base.

Athletics lineup:
1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Jonny Gomes DH
3. Josh Reddick RF
4. Yoenis Cespedes LF
5. Chris Carter 1B
6. Josh Donaldson 3B
7. Derek Norris C
8. Stephen Drew SS
9. Adam Rosales 2B
P. Tommy Milone

Milone is coming off of one of the better starts of his young rookie career. He struck out a career high ten batters in six innings en route to a 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners in his last start. Milone is 12-10 on the season with a 3.90 ERA.

Orioles lineup:
1. Nate McLouth LF
2. J.J. Hardy SS
3. Adam Jones CF
4. Matt Wieters C
5. Lew Ford RF
6. Mark Reynolds 1B
7. Chris Davis DH
8. Manny Machado 3B
9. Robert Andino 2B
P. Joe Saunders

The Orioles will counter with semi-newly acquired pitcher Saunders, who will be making his fourth start for the Orioles. He has had a bit of mixed results so far, getting rocked in his first start. But Saunders has settled down over his last two and is looking to push his personal win streak to three games. Saunders is 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA on the year.

For more on the A's, check out Athletics Nation. For the Orioles side of the street, head on over to Camden Chat. For more on the league in general, make your way over to Baseball Nation.

MLB Standings: Giants, Athletics Looking To Hang On Down The Stretch

Athletics Vs. Orioles: Tommy Milone Eyes 13th Win Of Season

Two of the most surprising teams in Major League Baseball square off Friday night as the AL East leading Baltimore Orioles head to the Bay to take on the AL Wild Card leading Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum.

The A's will send rookie Tommy Milone (12-10, 3.90), to the bump tonight for his first meeting with Baltimore in his career. He tied his career high with 10 strikeouts against Seattle in his last start, allowing just two runs on six innings en route to a 4-2 victory on Sunday.The lefty had an impressive 0.91 ERA through his first eight starts in Oakland, but has a 6.75 ERA at home over his last five.

Baltimore will counter with Joe Saunders (2-1, 4.24 ERA) who's looking for his third straight win this evening. Saunders held the Yankees to just two runs in 5.1 innings of work en route to a 5-4 victory on Saturday. He also kept the A's to two runs over six innings as part of a 4-3 win when still with the Diamondbacks back on June 10. Saunders is 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA in his last four starts against Oakland.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN California and 95.7 The Game.

For more on the A's, check out Athletics Nation. For the Orioles side of the street, head on over to Camden Chat. For more on the league in general, make your way over to Baseball Nation.

Athletics Vs. Orioles Series Preview: TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers & More

The A's and O's will meet in the East Bay this weekend. Both teams are intent on remaining playoffs-bound.