BALTIMORE – With catcher Matt Wieters out with an injury, Steve Clevenger is taking full advantage of his opportunity with the Baltimore Orioles.
Clevenger hit a three-run homer, Chris Tillman won his seventh consecutive decision and Baltimore completed a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 4-2 victory Monday night.
Clevenger, who was called up Friday from Class AAA Norfolk, got his first homer since June 29, 2012. He also had a career-high four hits in Baltimore's 18-2 victory Sunday.
"It feels great, especially this time of year," Clevenger said. "Right now, we're in the playoff race. Anything I can do to help the team. We're on a good streak right now. We have to keep it going."
Tillman (9-7) allowed two runs on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts over seven innings. He has not lost since May 31.
Oakland went winless on its seven-game East Coast road trip. Lefthander Sonny Gray (12-5), who was scratched from his previous start because of back spasms, allowed four runs (one earned) on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 5⅔ innings.
"I could definitely tell that I hadn't been on the mound in a while," Gray said. "But I felt fine."
Former Twin Danny Valencia provided the A's with a 1-0 lead when he homered to lead off the second. Valencia has a hit in nine of 10 games since being claimed off waivers Aug. 3.
