Orioles Continue Their Slump, 10-1

For weeks, the Oakland Athletics have been telling everyone that they’re much better than their record would indicate.

They proved it Friday night.

Scott Spiezio homered in a six-run first inning and Kenny Rogers pitched an eight-hitter as the A’s registered their first road win of the season, a 10-1 rout of the Baltimore Orioles.

The A’s improved to 7-13 overall and became the last team in the majors this season to win on the road. Oakland’s 0-6 start away from home was the worst since the franchise moved from Kansas City in 1968.

Rafael Palmeiro homered and Joe Carter had three hits for the Orioles, who have lost seven of nine.

“We’ll be all right,” Baltimore Manager Ray Miller said. Then, gesturing toward the Oriole clubhouse, he said, “You have to hope everyone in that room says, ‘That’s enough of this stuff. Let’s go!’ ”

The first four batters to face Scott Kamieniecki (2-1) all scored. Rickey Henderson opened the game with a single, Dave Magadan walked and Ben Grieve hit a two-run double. Matt Stairs then walked and A.J. Hinch hit a one-out RBI single before Spiezio homered to right.

That chased Kamieniecki, who gave up four hits and six runs in one-third of an inning, his quickest exit in 128 starts. He threw only 28 pitches.

“I’m fine physically. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I am,” said Kamieniecki, who battled a sore back in spring training. “It didn’t matter what the count was today, they were just hitting the ball.”

It was the shortest stint by an Oriole starter since Jeff Robinson pitched one-third of an inning at Oakland in July 1991.

Palmeiro has hit in seven consecutive games, going 11 for 24 (.458). Baltimore’s Jeffrey Hammonds is mired in a 3-for-26 slump.

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Next Series For Angels

Who: Baltimore Orioles

Where: at Baltimore

When: Monday, 4 p.m., Tuesday, 4 p.m.