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 The Baltimore right-hander pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings and
permitted just three hits, leading the Orioles to a 4-2 victory over
the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night in front of 35,353 at Angel
Stadium.
"I like pitching here in Anaheim, especially in front of friends and
family," said Gonzalez, who grew up in a suburb northwest of Los
Angeles. "It's always good to be out here and enjoy the weather."
The Orioles (55-44) needed their fourth victory in six contests to
maintain their four-game lead over the New York Yankees and the
Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.
Gonzalez, recalled from Triple-A Norfolk earlier in the day, did not
allow a run until center fielder Mike Trout hit a two-run home run
with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Gonzalez (5-5)
finished with five strikeouts and four walks while generating nine
groundouts.
"I've seen some good games from him before, but that's about as good
as it gets," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "He had
everything working, everything at his disposal, and he had command
of it."
Gonzalez attributed his success to catcher Caleb Joseph's
pitch-calling.
"I think Caleb did a great job of changing speeds," Gonzalez said.
"The main thing is having confidence and just following whatever
Caleb does back there."
Left-handed closer Zach Britton pitched a perfect ninth inning,
striking out two, to earn his 18th save.
Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Jonathan Schoop
each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Hardy hit two doubles, and Schoop
pounded a two-run home run.
The Orioles broke a scoreless tie by producing three runs on three
hits in the sixth inning against right-handed reliever Michael Morin
(2-3). First baseman Chris Davis hit a slow roller for an infield
single with two outs, then scored when Hardy lined a double into
right-center field.
Schoop followed with his eighth home run of the season, a two-run
drive over the center field fence. Trout grabbed the top of the
fence and lifted himself off the ground but had no chance of making
the catch.
Baltimore added one run in the eighth. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz
doubled into left field and came home on Hardy's second double of
the game, a line drive down the right field line.
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The Angels (59-40) had two chances to score first. In the bottom of
the third inning, third baseman David Freese led off with a walk,
then moved to second base on left fielder Efren Navarro's single.
However, Gonzalez struck out catcher Hank Conger, who failed to
execute a sacrifice, before inducing right fielder Kole Calhoun to
line into a double play.
In the fifth inning, Freese walked with two outs and took third on
Navarro's single, but Conger again struck out.
Left-hander Hector Santiago, who started for the Angels, conceded
just two hits in five scoreless innings. He walked three and struck
out two while throwing 99 pitches.
"It was a really gutty performance from Hector," Los Angeles manager
Mike Scioscia said. "When it's all said and done, the 100 pitches,
putting five zeros up in the five innings was a good performance."
NOTES: The Orioles activated RHP Miguel Gonzalez to make the start
Tuesday night, and they optioned RHP Preston Guilmet to Triple-A
Norfolk. ... Baltimore's Nick Markakis has not made an error in 273
consecutive games, the longest active streak for a major league
outfielder. ... Los Angeles SS Erick Aybar returned to the starting
lineup after missing three starts, and he went 0-for-4. Aybar, who
injured his right groin Friday against the Seattle Mariners,
grounded out as a pinch hitter Tuesday. ... Angels LHP C.J. Wilson,
on the disabled list since July 10 with a sprained right ankle,
threw a pregame bullpen session. ... Angels 2B Howie Kendrick had
the majors' best batting average this month, .400 (28-for-70),
through Monday. He finished 0-for-4 Tuesday. ... 1B Chris Davis'
infield single in the sixth inning was his 400th hit as an Oriole.
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