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Athletics squeak past Orioles

May 6, 2008 - 6:34 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Coming through in the clutch is becoming a frequent occurrence for Emil Brown.

Brown's two-out single to left-center field drove in Daric Barton with the winning run and lifted the Oakland Athletics to a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in 10 innings Monday night.

The hit by made a winner of Joey Devine (3-0), who pitched a scoreless top of the 10th inning.

Brown, who went 3-for-4 and scored Oakland's other run, leads the team with 27 RBI.

"I want to drive that guy in. That's first and foremost," Brown said. "Maybe that gives me an edge or advantage if that's what you want to call it. I try to be as selective-aggressive as I possibly can. What I mean by that is something in the strike zone that I can put a good swing on."

The Athletics rallied with two outs against Jim Johnson (0-1), Baltimore's fifth pitcher of the night.

Barton singled with two outs and Frank Thomas followed with a walk. Brown then hit Johnson's first pitch into left-center to drive in Barton with the winning run - the first allowed by Johnson in 11 appearances this season.

"I figured he wanted to throw a strike after walking Frank," Brown said. "I told myself if you get a pitch to hit, go after it. Stay aggressive in the strike zone and that is what I do."

Oakland's Dana Eveland and Baltimore's Garrett Olson matched zeroes through the first six innings, with each allowing just one runner to reach second base.

"My fastball I wasn't really locating great. I was just reaching back and letting it heat tonight," Eveland said. "I was just going to let it go and throw it as hard as I could. For the most part, I got it by them. I threw a few good changeups early in the game, some good sliders when I needed to. For the most part it was a lot of fastballs."

Being in a close game and watching his counterpart keep the A's scoreless motivated Eveland.

"When their guy is throwing zeroes, I am going to everything I can to keep up with him. I try to keep my team in the game," Eveland said. "That guy was pitching tough. The only way to compete is keep throwing zeroes. That was my goal."

The Athletics finally broke through against Olson and the Orioles in the seventh inning, collecting three singles and a walk to produce a run. Brown singled to left field with one out and Jack Cust followed with a walk that ended Olson's night.

After Matt Albers came on and retired Bobby Crosby on a fly ball to center field, Jamie Walker relieved him and allowed an infield single to pinch hitter Jack Hannahan that loaded the bases.

Rajai Davis followed with a soft grounder in the hole between first and second that Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar fielded but had no play, allowing Brown to score the game's first run.

Olson pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, one walk and striking out a career high-tying seven batters.

"As much as we don't want to give these guys credit, some times you have to tip your cap to them," Brown said. "He (Olson) mixed his pitches up pretty good. Fastball, off-speed pitches he located when he was ahead in the count. He kind of pitched the way he wanted to."

Baltimore had a scoring chance of its own in the top of the eighth as Adam Jones singled to lead off the inning against Eveland. Jay Payton legged out an infield single against reliever Andrew Brown, and runners advanced into scoring position following a sacrifice by Luis Hernandez.

However, Oakland received some outstanding relief work from Alan Embree, who entered the game with runners on second and third and one out. He retired Brian Roberts on a short fly ball to right field and Nick Markakis on a ground ball to shortstop to end the threat.

A's closer Huston Street was unable to hold the lead in the ninth. He allowed a leadoff doubled to Melvin Mora, who advanced to third on a deep fly ball to center field and scored the tying run on a groundout to shortstop by Ramon Hernandez.

Eveland allowed just three hits, four walks and struck out four in a season-high tying seven-plus innings of work.