BALTIMORE -- All of a sudden, the Baltimore Orioles' starting rotation is pitching magnificently.
The question is: Has this struggling staff finally found its groove, or is it because the opposition is the Texas Rangers?
Kevin Gausman pitched six innings of four-hit ball, Adam Jones homered and scored three runs and Baltimore beat the faltering Rangers 10-2 on Wednesday night.
Gausman (6-7) gave up one run, struck out eight and walked two. The right-hander came in with a 6.39 ERA and had yielded a total of 14 runs in his last two starts.
Though the Orioles' faulty rotation is one big reason why the team is four games under .500, the starters in this series have combined to allow three runs over 18 innings.
"It's a roll we'd like to get on," manager Buck Showalter said. "Start kind of passing the baton to the next guy."
Having thus far outscored Texas 25-4 in the series, the Orioles will attempt to complete a four-game sweep on Thursday.
"I think we all know that we need to pitch better and, you know, we're trying to do that," Gausman said. "Obviously the offense is what's kind of given us a bigger margin for error."
Trey Mancini contributed two hits in a seven-run seventh inning, including a bases-loaded triple, and Jonathan Schoop finished with three hits and three RBI.
Joey Gallo hit his 22nd home run for the Rangers, who have dropped four straight and scored only eight runs in their last five games.
"We have to continue to believe in our offense. That's a challenge for us right now," manager Jeff Banister said. "It's been a bit of a stretch where one run has been the case for us and it's coming off solo shots."
Adrian Beltre hit a fourth-inning double to move within 17 hits of 3,000 for his career. It was his 602nd double, breaking a tie with Barry Bonds for 16th place on the all-time list.
But there were few other highlights for the Rangers, now 2-4 on a 10-game trip out of the All-Star break.
"It just seems tough to score right now," said Elvis Andrus, who went 0 for 4.
Texas had eight hits -- only two for extra bases.
"We can score runs. We need to get back to that and show our identity again," Gallo said. "I don't think anyone in this clubhouse is worried or panicking."
Jones got Baltimore started with a leadoff homer off Martin Perez (5-7), and Schoop made it 3-0 with a two-run double in the third.
Gallo connected in the fifth, but the Orioles pulled away in the seventh. Baltimore got six hits and took advantage of an error by catcher Robinson Chirinos to score four unearned runs.
MAKE NO MISTAKE
Beltre played his 54th consecutive errorless game, the longest run of his career and a team record by a third baseman.
Buddy Bell and Hank Blalock both played 53 error-free games in a row at third base for Texas. Beltre was charged with an error after missing a line drive Tuesday, but the call was changed to a hit later in the game.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: RHP Keone Kela (sore shoulder) had a throwing session Wednesday and could be activated from the DL on Thursday. ... RHP A.J. Griffin (rib cage) allowed four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings in a rehabilitative start for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Orioles: INF Ryan Flaherty (shoulder) and SS J.J. Hardy (wrist fracture) fielded grounders before Baltimore took batting practice. The Orioles hope Flaherty can begin a rehab assignment next week. ... RHP Hunter Harvey, drafted 22nd overall in 2013, threw 27 pitches in the Gulf Coast League. It was his first action since Tommy John surgery last summer.
UP NEXT
Rangers: LHP Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.05 ERA) brings a 21-inning scoreless streak into the series finale Thursday night. He was out from May to late June with a right oblique strain.
Orioles: LHP Wade Miley (4-8, 5.40 ERA) surrendered seven runs in two of his previous three starts and has lost four of five decisions.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
The question is: Has this struggling staff finally found its groove, or is it because the opposition is the Texas Rangers?
Kevin Gausman pitched six innings of four-hit ball, Adam Jones homered and scored three runs and Baltimore beat the faltering Rangers 10-2 on Wednesday night.
Gausman (6-7) gave up one run, struck out eight and walked two. The right-hander came in with a 6.39 ERA and had yielded a total of 14 runs in his last two starts.
Though the Orioles' faulty rotation is one big reason why the team is four games under .500, the starters in this series have combined to allow three runs over 18 innings.
"It's a roll we'd like to get on," manager Buck Showalter said. "Start kind of passing the baton to the next guy."
Having thus far outscored Texas 25-4 in the series, the Orioles will attempt to complete a four-game sweep on Thursday.
"I think we all know that we need to pitch better and, you know, we're trying to do that," Gausman said. "Obviously the offense is what's kind of given us a bigger margin for error."
Trey Mancini contributed two hits in a seven-run seventh inning, including a bases-loaded triple, and Jonathan Schoop finished with three hits and three RBI.
Joey Gallo hit his 22nd home run for the Rangers, who have dropped four straight and scored only eight runs in their last five games.
"We have to continue to believe in our offense. That's a challenge for us right now," manager Jeff Banister said. "It's been a bit of a stretch where one run has been the case for us and it's coming off solo shots."
Adrian Beltre hit a fourth-inning double to move within 17 hits of 3,000 for his career. It was his 602nd double, breaking a tie with Barry Bonds for 16th place on the all-time list.
But there were few other highlights for the Rangers, now 2-4 on a 10-game trip out of the All-Star break.
"It just seems tough to score right now," said Elvis Andrus, who went 0 for 4.
Texas had eight hits -- only two for extra bases.
"We can score runs. We need to get back to that and show our identity again," Gallo said. "I don't think anyone in this clubhouse is worried or panicking."
Jones got Baltimore started with a leadoff homer off Martin Perez (5-7), and Schoop made it 3-0 with a two-run double in the third.
Gallo connected in the fifth, but the Orioles pulled away in the seventh. Baltimore got six hits and took advantage of an error by catcher Robinson Chirinos to score four unearned runs.
MAKE NO MISTAKE
Beltre played his 54th consecutive errorless game, the longest run of his career and a team record by a third baseman.
Buddy Bell and Hank Blalock both played 53 error-free games in a row at third base for Texas. Beltre was charged with an error after missing a line drive Tuesday, but the call was changed to a hit later in the game.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: RHP Keone Kela (sore shoulder) had a throwing session Wednesday and could be activated from the DL on Thursday. ... RHP A.J. Griffin (rib cage) allowed four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings in a rehabilitative start for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Orioles: INF Ryan Flaherty (shoulder) and SS J.J. Hardy (wrist fracture) fielded grounders before Baltimore took batting practice. The Orioles hope Flaherty can begin a rehab assignment next week. ... RHP Hunter Harvey, drafted 22nd overall in 2013, threw 27 pitches in the Gulf Coast League. It was his first action since Tommy John surgery last summer.
UP NEXT
Rangers: LHP Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.05 ERA) brings a 21-inning scoreless streak into the series finale Thursday night. He was out from May to late June with a right oblique strain.
Orioles: LHP Wade Miley (4-8, 5.40 ERA) surrendered seven runs in two of his previous three starts and has lost four of five decisions.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Texas - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Gausman pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Choo grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Andrus grounded out to first. | 0 | 0 |
| Mazara grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Jones homered to right (348 feet). | 0 | 1 |
| Machado flied out to center. | 0 | 1 |
| Schoop reached on infield single to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| Trumbo grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Schoop out at second. | 0 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Kevin Gausman pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Beltré grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| Napoli struck out swinging. | 0 | 1 |
| Odor reached on bunt single to third. | 0 | 1 |
| Gómez lined out to right. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Davis struck out looking. | 0 | 1 |
| Mancini grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| Joseph lined out to center. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Kevin Gausman pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Chirinos grounded out to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Gallo grounded out to first. | 0 | 1 |
| Choo reached on infield single to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Choo stole second. | 0 | 1 |
| Andrus struck out swinging. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Rickard grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| Tejada grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| Jones singled to right. | 0 | 1 |
| Machado walked, Jones to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Schoop doubled to deep right, Jones and Machado scored. | 0 | 3 |
| Trumbo grounded out to third. | 0 | 3 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Kevin Gausman pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Mazara struck out swinging. | 0 | 3 |
| Beltré doubled to right. | 0 | 3 |
| Napoli struck out swinging. | 0 | 3 |
| Odor walked. | 0 | 3 |
| Gómez struck out swinging. | 0 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Davis lined out to center. | 0 | 3 |
| Mancini grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 3 |
| Joseph doubled to deep right center. | 0 | 3 |
| Rickard popped out to second. | 0 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Kevin Gausman pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Chirinos flied out to right. | 0 | 3 |
| Gallo homered to right center (403 feet). | 1 | 3 |
| Choo struck out swinging. | 1 | 3 |
| Andrus struck out swinging. | 1 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Tejada flied out to right. | 1 | 3 |
| Jones grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 3 |
| Machado flied out to right. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Kevin Gausman pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Mazara grounded out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Beltré grounded out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Napoli walked. | 1 | 3 |
| Odor struck out swinging. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Schoop struck out swinging. | 1 | 3 |
| Trumbo flied out to right. | 1 | 3 |
| Davis struck out swinging. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Mychal Givens pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Givens relieved Gausman. | 1 | 3 |
| Gómez grounded out to third. | 1 | 3 |
| Chirinos flied out to left. | 1 | 3 |
| Gallo flied out to left. | 1 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Mancini reached on infield single to pitcher. | 1 | 3 |
| Joseph singled to center, Mancini to second. | 1 | 3 |
| Bush relieved Pérez. | 1 | 3 |
| Rickard walked, Mancini to third, Joseph to second. | 1 | 3 |
| Tejada grounded into fielder's choice to second, Mancini scored on error by catcher Chirinos, Joseph to third, Rickard to second. | 1 | 4 |
| Jones singled to deep right, Joseph scored, Rickard to third, Tejada to second. | 1 | 5 |
| Machado singled to left, Rickard scored, Tejada to third, Jones to second. | 1 | 6 |
| Schoop singled to left, Tejada scored, Jones to third, Machado to second. | 1 | 7 |
| Trumbo struck out swinging. | 1 | 7 |
| Davis struck out swinging. | 1 | 7 |
| Mancini tripled to deep right, Jones, Machado and Schoop scored. | 1 | 10 |
| Jeffress relieved Bush. | 1 | 10 |
| Joseph struck out looking. | 1 | 10 |
| 7 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Donnie Hart pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Hart relieved Givens. | 1 | 10 |
| Choo singled to center. | 1 | 10 |
| Andrus grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Choo out at second. | 1 | 10 |
| Mazara walked. | 1 | 10 |
| Beltré grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Mazara out at second. | 1 | 10 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Baltimore - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Jason Grilli pitching for Texas | TEX | BAL |
| Grilli relieved Jeffress. | 1 | 10 |
| Rickard popped out to shortstop. | 1 | 10 |
| Tejada lined out to center. | 1 | 10 |
| Jones lined out to center. | 1 | 10 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Donnie Hart pitching for Baltimore | TEX | BAL |
| Napoli singled to center. | 1 | 10 |
| Odor struck out swinging. | 1 | 10 |
| Gómez singled to center, Napoli to second. | 1 | 10 |
| Chirinos singled to center, Napoli scored, Gómez to second. | 2 | 10 |
| Gallo struck out swinging. | 2 | 10 |
| Choo grounded out to second. | 2 | 10 |
| 1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas Rangers | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Choo RF | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | .250 | .359 | .407 |
| Andrus SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 19 | .286 | .329 | .448 |
| Mazara LF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 | .248 | .325 | .428 |
| Beltré 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | .275 | .368 | .510 |
| Napoli DH | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 22 | .204 | .280 | .461 |
| Odor 2B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14 | .215 | .254 | .397 |
| Gómez CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .247 | .332 | .460 |
| Chirinos C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | .220 | .308 | .528 |
| Gallo 1B | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | .191 | .311 | .506 |
| Totals | 34 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 144 | |||
| BATTING 2B: Beltré (11, Gausman) HR: Gallo (22, 5th inning off Gausman 0 on, 1 Out) RBI: Gallo (42), Chirinos (26) GIDP: Andrus Rangers RISP: 1-6 (Napoli 0-1, Gómez 0-1, Chirinos 1-1, Andrus 0-1, Gallo 0-1, Choo 0-1) Team LOB: 8 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: Choo (8, 2nd base off Gausman/Joseph) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING E: Chirinos (2, catch) DP: 1 (Andrus-Odor-Gallo). | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD |
| Attendance | 15,693 (34.1% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 2:50 |
| Weather | 90 degrees, clear |
| Wind | 3 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Stu Scheurwater, First Base - Tripp Gibson, Second Base - Dan Iassogna, Third Base - Brian Gorman |
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