Few offenses in the major leagues have had its starter’s back more than the Orioles for Kyle Gibson.

The veteran starting pitcher struggled again Friday night against the Oakland Athletics, allowing nine hits and four runs in five innings, but Baltimore’s bats backed him up with nine runs in the first five frames en route to a 9-4 win.

The offense, which totaled 16 hits, delivered Gibson his team-best 12th win of the season despite the 35-year-old owning a 4.97 ERA. Friday was the sixth time this season Gibson’s offense has given him seven or more runs of support while he was on the mound — the most of any Orioles starter.

Eight Orioles batters either recorded an extra-base hit or an RBI as the lineup came out hot after Thursday’s day off, scoring three in the first inning and two more in the second, fourth and fifth. The Orioles’ top-of-the-order duo of Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson — the organization’s first two picks in the 2019 draft — each recorded three hits. The latter led the way with three RBIs, including a 438-foot two-run blast in the second inning.

Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays, Adam Frazier and Rutschman all hit doubles, while Ryan O’Hearn hit his first triple of the season and just the sixth of his six-year career. Mullins and Jordan Westburg each tallied two RBIs, while Frazier and Mountcastle each recorded RBI hits.

A rested bullpen kept Oakland’s bats at bay, as Mike Baumann, Cionel Pérez, Jacob Webb and Yennier Cano each delivered scoreless innings.

The Orioles are 75-47 with a 2 1/2-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays atop the American League. The win over the MLB-worst Athletics — the only team with a payroll lower than the Orioles’ $60.8 million entering the season — is Baltimore’s fourth this year after taking three of four from Oakland (34-88) in April.

Orioles at Athletics

Saturday, 9:07 p.m.

TV: MASN2

Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM

()