Blaze Alexander has returned just in time for the Baltimore Orioles, who continue their three-game series against the Athletics on Saturday in West Sacramento, Calif.

Alexander was activated from the injured list and hit leadoff on Friday, when the Orioles scored two runs in the 10th inning to beat the Athletics, 4-3.

Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand each singled in a run with two outs in the 10th against Brady Basso.

“Overall, those extra-inning games are difficult for any reliever to manage and try to get through with a runner starting at second base,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said.

Brandon Young tossed seven innings of one-run ball for Baltimore, which won for the third time in its last four games and moved two games behind the final American League wild-card position, currently occupied by the Cleveland Guardians. Four other teams entered Saturday within four games of Cleveland.

Alexander started at shortstop and went 1-for-5 in his return after suffering a fractured left hand on July 12. Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in early February, Alexander started the season in a reserve role but earned regular at-bats when the calendar turned to May.

The 27-year-old has played second base, third base and all three outfield positions in addition to shortstop in 83 games this season.

“It’s a shot of life for us, especially coming down the stretch here,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said of Alexander, who is batting .310. “We’ve missed Blaze, and now that we have him back, hopefully he’s a great engine boost for us.”

Right-hander Shane Baz (4-14, 4.04 ERA) will take the mound for Baltimore on Saturday. He suffered his league-leading 14th loss last Sunday, allowing three runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 3-1 home defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Baz, 27, is 0-8 in 12 starts since June 12. He has also been the victim of poor run support, with the Orioles providing him only 15 runs of support during that stretch.

“He’s been great all year,” Baltimore center fielder Colton Cowser said. “That’s something that doesn’t reflect how good he’s been. Feels like, whatever reason, we just need to put up more runs whenever he’s pitching. He’s always keeping us in it, and some weird things happen.”

Baz is 1-2 with a 4.10 ERA in four career starts versus the Athletics. He yielded five runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 6-2 home loss to the Athletics on May 9.

The Athletics are expected to start right-hander Jack Perkins (3-9, 6.68), who yielded three runs (one earned) with a career-high five walks over five innings in a 7-6 road win over the Houston Astros last Sunday.

Perkins, 26, entered in the second inning after Basso served as the opener and allowed three runs in the first.

“Perk came in and was a little shaky, couple walks, gave up a run,” Kotsay said. “But to put up zeros, get us through six innings, keep us in the game with a chance to win, I thought was great.”

Perkins is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two career games (one start) versus Baltimore.

The Athletics received good news this week on catcher Shea Langeliers, who could return to action before the end of the season. Kotsay provided a positive update Friday about Langeliers, who had right knee surgery on July 28.

Kotsay said Langeliers’ rehab has gone well, opening up the possibility for a return to the lineup in September.