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 "It's been fun to watch, that's for sure," said Orioles
right-hander Bud Norris (1-2), who allowed three runs in six innings
to earn the win as Baltimore defeated Toronto 11-4 on Thursday.
The Orioles (11-10) also won 10-8 on Wednesday to take the
three-game series with the Blue Jays (11-11) after dropping the
opener.
"These guys know how to swing it," said Norris, who fell behind 3-0
in the second inning. "That's what we've been talking about all
year. These guys have not lost faith at all. So to win these last
two has been great. We've got a lot going for us, a little
momentum."
First baseman Chris Davis drove in three runs, including the tying
and go-ahead runs with a single in a five-run seventh, and center
fielder Adam Jones also had three RBIs for the Orioles.
The Blue Jays led 3-0 on second-inning homers by catcher Dioner
Navarro and center fielder Colby Rasmus. They were the only runs
against Norris, who allowed five hits and one walk and struck out
four. Left-hander Zach Britton took over in the seventh.
"There were a couple of things they hit and I needed to make a
couple of adjustments," Norris said.
"He hit a few barrels early on; they were squaring him up," Orioles
manager Buck Showalter said. "But Matt (catcher Wieters) and him
made some adjustments on a couple of things they were keying off,
and he got a little better."
Toronto right-hander Drew Hutchison allowed six hits, including a
home run to second baseman Jonathan Schoop, one walk and two runs
while striking out nine in six innings. He did not factor in the
decision as the usually reliable Toronto bullpen allowed nine runs.
"It's still a good bullpen," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
"They (the Orioles) found a couple holes, but they kept the pressure
on us all night. Hutch gave us that big start we were looking for;
we just couldn't take advantage of it. Then the game got away late
there."
Right-hander Neil Wagner took over in the seventh and was replaced
by left-hander Brett Cecil (0-1) after left fielder David Lough
doubled with one out. Cecil walked right fielder Nick Markakis.
After a double steal, designated hitter Nelson Cruz was walked
intentionally to load the bases. Davis drove in two runs with a
single to left and Jones doubled to center to score another run to
give Baltimore a 5-3 lead.
Right-hander Esmil Rogers allowed a two-run single by Wieters. Cecil
was charged with four runs, the first he has allowed in 8 2/3
innings this season.
"I didn't really have a good feel for anything," Cecil said. "I was
pulling my cutters. My curveballs were up, not as sharp. But I made
a good pitch to Davis, ... but he hit it right where you're supposed
to. The curveball is usually my best pitch but things aren't going
to go perfect every time out."
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"I was able to get enough to finagle it through the shift," Davis
said. "Early on we had some guys swinging it well, some guys still
trying to find it. The last few games, we've really swung the bats
well collectively."
Cruz and Jones each singled in two runs in the Orioles' four-run
eighth.
Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista singled in a run in the eighth
and kept his streak alive of reaching base in all 22 games this
season.
Navarro led off Toronto's three-run second with his first homer of
the year and, after designated hitter Juan Francisco singled, Rasmus
hit his fourth homer of the season.
Norris was visited at the mound by Showalter and a trainer with two
out in the fourth after he tweaked his hamstring. After taking a
couple of warm-up pitches, he continued.
"I really don't know what it was," Norris said. "But in between
innings I just kind of stretched on it. It should not be a big
deal."
Schoop hit the first pitch of Baltimore's two-run fifth inning for
his second homer of the season. David Lough walked, stole second,
took third on a flyout and scored on a single by Davis to cut the
lead to 3-2.
NOTES: Orioles 3B Manny Machado (left knee surgery) will begin a
minor league rehabilitation assignment Friday with Class A
Frederick. After a stint at either Triple-A Norfolk or Double-A
Bowie, he could rejoin the Orioles in Minnesota for their series
against the Twins, May 2-4. ... Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said
RHP Dustin McGowan (1-1, 6.88 ERA) will make his next scheduled
start against the Kansas City Royals next week despite his struggles
once he reaches 60 pitches. ... The Blue Jays open a three-game
series at Rogers Centre against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, with
LHP Mark Buehrle (4-0, 0.64 ERA) facing Boston RHP Jake Peavy (0-0.
3.33 ERA). ... The Orioles return home to open a three-game series
against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, with RHP Ubaldo Jimenez
(0-3, 6.75 ERA) facing Kansas City RHP Yordano Ventura (1-1, 2.65
ERA).
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