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 Gausman allowed just three hits in seven innings, and Adam Jones
homered for the second consecutive night as the Orioles scored a 4-3
victory over the Angels on Wednesday night at Camden Yards.
Baltimore (60-46) maintained its 2 1/2-game lead over the Toronto
Blue Jays in the American League East thanks to its fourth win in
five games over the Angels in the past two weeks. Gausman (5-3)
played a big role in the latest victory, retiring the first 14
batters.
Overall, Gausman allowed three runs -- all in the fifth inning. The
right-hander walked three and struck out two, and his seven innings
tied a career high.
"I was just establishing my fastball in and out," Gausman said. "I
think they had a little bit of trouble with that, especially (when)
I was getting some pitches down in the zone that I loved. I just
felt in rhythm and in control."
Gausman didn't allow a baserunner until he walked three in a row
with two outs in the fifth. The Angels then got two hits that scored
three runs, but Gausman settled down and retired six of the last
seven batters he faced.
"He was coming right after us," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
"He pitched a good game for them. We knew he had great stuff."
The Orioles also helped Gausman and closer Zach Britton with some
stellar defense.
Right fielder Nick Markakis made a diving catch in the third, and
third baseman Manny Machado snared a grounder from Albert Pujols and
threw him out from deep in foul territory in the fourth.
Machado ended the game with a slick barehanded pickup and throw of
second baseman Howie Kendrick's slow grounder. First baseman Steve
Pearce, filling in for Chris Davis, made tough catches on Machado's
throws on those two plays.
"(It was a) really good defensive game for us," Orioles manager Buck
Showalter said. "Other than the good pitching, that was the
difference in the game."
The Orioles supported Gausman on offense by scoring early against
Angels right-hander Garrett Richards (11-4). Baltimore put together
two-run rallies in both the first and fourth innings for a 4-0 lead.
Richards bounced back from his early troubles to throw seven innings
of four-run ball, but the Angels (63-43) couldn't recover from the
early deficit.
On Tuesday, Jones hit a first-inning home run to get the Orioles
started in the series opener, and he did the same thing in
Wednesday. After Machado lined a single to center off Richards, the
Baltimore center fielder sent one over the wall in center for a
two-run homer and a 2-0 lead.
Jones said of Richards, "He's been having a hell of a year, a really
good year actually, a Cy Young-type year. We just needed some runs,
and we were able to get some."
Richards settled down after that and retired nine of the next 10
batters before the Orioles added two more runs with two outs in the
fourth inning.
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Left fielder David Lough lined an RBI double to left, and second baseman
Ryan Flaherty followed with a run-scoring single.
The Angels didn't get a baserunner until Kendrick walked with two outs
in the fifth. Gausman then loaded the bases by walking designated hitter
C.J. Cron and third baseman David Freese.
Catcher Chris Iannetta collected the Angels' first hit of the night, a
two-run single, and right fielder Kole Calhoun lined an RBI double to
right, cutting the Baltimore lead to 4-3. That put runners on second and
third, but Gausman bounced back by striking out center fielder Mike
Trout to end the inning.
The Angels never threatened again. Baltimore right-hander Darren O'Day
threw a scoreless eighth inning before Britton closed it in the ninth
and earned his 21st save.
Baltimore will aim for a three-game sweep Thursday.
"It's two good teams," Calhoun said. "They're edging us the first two
here and they got us at our place, but don't expect us to roll over
tomorrow. We're going to come out ready to play."
NOTES: 1B Chris Davis (illness) did not play for a second consecutive
day. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before the game that Davis
still had a fever and hadn't slept much the past few nights. ... The
Orioles confirmed that they are shutting down RHP Hunter Harvey, a
first-round pick in last year's draft. GM Dan Duquette said that elbow
problems (flexor mass strain) led to the decision. Harvey is 7-5 with a
3.18 ERA at Class A Delmarva. ... LHP C.J. Wilson's return to Angels'
rotation appears to be getting closer. Manager Mike Scioscia said the
best-case scenario would have Wilson coming back some time during the
weekend. The Angels have starters set for Thursday, Friday and Sunday,
but none as yet for Saturday. ... RHP Kevin Jepsen set an Angels record
with his no-decision appearance in relief Tuesday -- his 58th
consecutive game without a win, loss or save.
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