A’s Beat Rockies at Their Own Game

Ben Grieve hit a two-run homer and Ryan Christenson added a solo shot as the Oakland Athletics withstood homers by Larry Walker and Dante Bichette to beat the Colorado Rockies, 10-5, Monday night.

Olmedo Saenz had a two-run double and Tony Phillips and Jason Giambi each added RBI doubles for the A’s, who have won four of five since the All-Star break to move to two games over .500 (47-45) for the first time in a month.

Giambi also had a sacrifice fly and Ramon Hernandez drove in a pair with a single and sacrifice fly, helping Oakland improve to an AL-best 11-6 in interleague play. The Rockies dropped to 4-7 against the AL this season.

Roberto Ramirez (1-1), recalled from triple-A Colorado Springs before the game, lasted just two innings and Colorado lost for the 11th time in 12 road games.

Ramirez gave up six runs and five hits, including Grieve’s first homer of the year off a left-hander. Grieve came into the game with just four hits in 49 (.082) at-bats against lefties.

Tim Worrell (2-1) picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief of starter Mike Oquist, who gave up five runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings. Oquist was pitching for the first time since July 4. The A’s skipped his previous turn because of ineffectiveness.

Doug Jones went the final 2 1/3 innings for his fourth save.

Oakland asserted itself early, putting together a four-run second inning, including Grieve’s 13th homer.

Walker connected for his 27th homer, a two-run shot in the third, but the A’s came back in their half of the inning. Giambi walked and John Jaha doubled, finishing Ramirez, and Saenz greeted reliever David Lee with a two-run double.

Todd Helton walked in the fourth and scored when Grieve bobbled Jeff Barry’s double to left. But again Oakland answered as Giambi had a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth.

Darryl Hamilton singled ahead of Bichette’s fifth-inning home run, which chased Oquist. It was Bichette’s 19th homer.

Giambi added a run-scoring double in the sixth and Hernandez had a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Despite the loss, the A’s remain the only AL club the Rockies have a winning record against at 5-4.