The scoreboard watchers among the Orioles knew before today’s first pitch in Sacramento that the Guardians, the team that they’re chasing for the last Wild Card, had built a sizeable lead against the Royals and wouldn’t get swept.

The Orioles needed a win over the Athletics to complete their sweep and stay one game behind Cleveland.

They took care of business, rallying to defeat the A’s 8-5 and improve to 5-1 on the road trip before flying to Denver.

I predicted a 7-2 stretch away from home. I’d be surprised if they don’t go 8-1.

Gunnar Henderson homered twice against left-hander Jeffrey Springs, Coby Mayo hit his 19th to begin the comeback, and the Orioles (68-69) won for the seventh time in nine games. They also moved within one game of .500 for the first time since April 30.

The Guardians defeated the Royals 11-1 and are 69-68.

The A’s led 5-1 before remembering that they aren’t built to win anymore with a roster decimated by injuries.

Henderson gave the Orioles 1-0 and 7-5 leads, the latter after a three-run shot in the fifth. The ball traveled 413 feet to right field, and Henderson had his 22nd homer and second multi-homer game this season.

Henderson also singled, delivered a run-scoring triple and tied his career high with five RBIs. He drove in five runs on July 6, 2023 at Yankee Stadium.

Here are a few observations from home:

Mayo won’t stop mashing lefties

He just can’t help himself.

Mayo belted a three-run homer off Springs in the fourth inning to reduce the Athletics’ lead to 5-4. Fifteen of his 19 homers have come against left-handers, and this one was a line drive at 105.2 mph.

Pete Alonso and Henderson singled before Mayo stepped to the plate, and whatever momentum exists in baseball completely swung to the other side. A struggling Chris Bassitt retired the side in order in the bottom of the fourth. You could feel the shift.

The day began with Mayo hitting .322/.380/.746 in 129 plate appearances versus southpaws.

Mayo has scored a run in five consecutive games to tie his career high. And he isn’t just producing when facing lefties. Before today, he owned an .878 OPS in 41 games since July after posting a .636 OPS over his first 67.

Smart move for the Orioles to hold onto him after his early struggles in the majors.

Polar Bear beaning

Alonso was drilled in the helmet by a 94.6 mph four-seam fastball from Kade Morris in the eighth inning.

The helmet and glasses flew off Alonso’s head as he fell to the dirt and rolled onto his back. Of course, he immediately rose to his feet while manager Craig Albernaz and assistant athletic trainer Ben Fraser raced out of the dugout.

Jackson Holliday pinch-ran for Alonso, who appeared to be OK and hung at the dugout railing. Henderson followed with his triple to the opposite field.

Bassitt hounded early

Henderson went left-on-left against Springs in the first to give the Orioles a quick lead, but Lawrence Butler stroked a two-run double in the bottom half of the inning. Jeff McNeil’s RBI double in the second moved the A’s ahead 3-1, but they left the bases loaded.

Brian Serven hit a two-run homer with two outs in the third.

Bassitt looked like he was on borrowed time, but he made it through 5 2/3 innings and 99 pitches. He allowed five runs and eight hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Yennier Cano notched his third save.

Roster ready to change

Left-hander Cade Povich is joining the Orioles in Denver, according to a source, and he’s expected to be recalled Tuesday when teams expand their rosters to 28 players.

Povich was listed as today’s starter for Triple-A Norfolk, but the club switched to Dietrich Enns, who tossed three scoreless innings.

The bullpen is lacking a long reliever with Albert Suárez gone and Povich can provide length if he’s used in that role. The rotation is full unless the club decides to plug in a sixth starter.

Povich made six appearances (five starts) with the Orioles and posted a 4.45 ERA and 1.412 WHIP in 28 1/3 innings before landing on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. He’s made 11 starts with Norfolk and registered a 5.68 ERA and 1.401 WHIP with 58 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings.

In Tuesday’s start against Durham, Povich threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, one walk and 11 strikeouts.

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad was out of Norfolk’s lineup today, but he isn’t expected to join the Orioles on Tuesday.

Mountain time

Félix Bautista made his third rehab appearance today, tossing a scoreless sixth inning in Durham. He allowed a two-out single and struck out one.

Bautista was charged with three runs and walked three batters in one-third of an inning at Double-A Chesapeake. He tossed another inning on three days’ rest after reporting to the Tides and retired the three batters faced.

Bautista struck out Jacob Melton today on a 95.6 mph sinker. Carson Williams was stranded after he singled on a 96.2 mph sinker, stole second base and moved to third on Creed Willems’ throwing error.

The sinker topped at 97.6 mph.