A's Top Orioles In Slug Fest

The frustration of losing finally got the best of Baltimore Orioles manager Ray Miller, who lashed out at his team before striking his right fist against something that was far less giving than his pitching staff.

Tony Phillips marked his 40th birthday with a three-run homer in the ninth inning Sunday as the Oakland Athletics beat the stumbling Orioles 11-10 in a game of comebacks, poor pitching and costly errors mental and otherwise.

The 15-minute cooling off period did nothing to ease the agony felt by Miller, whose job status is being threatened by his team's horrid play this season. The Orioles' eighth loss in nine games dropped their record to a major league worst 4-14.

With a cold towel wrapped around his right hand, Miller criticized his team in a profanity-laced burst.

"We walked 14 people today. We pitched like a bunch of 12-year-olds," he said. "We had a guy get picked off when we're six runs down. ... If you want any more stories, go out in the clubhouse. They're the ones making all the money. Have them explain how they did and how they performed in front of 47,000 people. That's all I have to say."

About 20 minutes later, Miller called the media back and elaborated a bit. He wouldn't say what he hit with his fist, but guessed his temper might have netted him a few broken knuckles.

"I think I've been open and candid. I've been taking pretty good hits, but I stand behind myself and my coaching staff. I think we got everyone in the right place today but the players just failed," Miller said. "I don't think it can get any worse than this."

Eric Chave led off the ninth with a single and pinch-hitter Tim Raines drew a walk. Phillips then sent the first pitch over the center-field wall, his team-high sixth homer of the season.

"I told him before the game, it's your birthday. Don't be afraid to do something special," Oakland manager Art Howe said. "He certainly did the game-winning home run in a clutch situation."

Phillips was 0-for-4 with a walk before his big hit.

"I was really struggling today with the bat but I got a good swing on a pretty good pitch," he said. "That's why I'm an old pro. You keep fighting and never give up anything."

The Orioles dropped two of three to Oakland and has lost all six series this season.

"It's one I thought we had won after we came back and scored eight runs," said Baltimore's Brady Anderson, who was picked off first base by Kenny Rogers with the Orioles down 6-0 in the third. "It was worse than most and that's why I'm upset."

Orioles starter Rocky Coppinger yielded six of Baltimore's 14 walks and was pulled with one out in the second inning. Six of the Orioles seven pitchers issued at least one walk.

Brad Rigby (1-0) got the victory, the second of his career, and Billy Taylor pitched the ninth for his fifth save. Oakland, which got a grand slam from Jason Giambi in a six-run second inning, won despite blowing a big lead, committing three errors and stranding 16 runners.

Asked if he considered it an ugly victory, Howe said, "I'd call it pretty as the Mona Lisa."

Down 6-2 in the seventh, Baltimore sent 13 players to the plate against five Oakland pitchers. Shortstop Miguel Tejada's second error of the inning and Mike Bordick's two-run single made it 6-5. With two outs and two on, Tim Worrell issued three straight walks, forcing in two runs and putting Baltimore ahead.

Willis Otanez then hit a two-run single off Rigby and Delino DeShields singled in a run for a 10-6 lead.

It all went for naught.

Notes: Albert Belle, who has reached base in 17 of 18 games, broke an 0-for-11 skid with a third-inning homer. ... Rogers allowed only one earned run in 6-plus innings and had five assists (including two pickoffs). ... Matt Stairs walked four times for Oakland. ... The 14 walks ties an Orioles team record. ... Oakland was 0-9 when trailing in the ninth.

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