Baltimore Orioles shut out the Red Sox in Gausman gem

With outstanding pitching and a couple of home runs, the Baltimore Orioles got another big win against their division rival Boston Red Sox.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman, wearing his “Gausy” nickname, pitched a shut out into the eighth inning against a team that normally tees off on him.

Gausman faced the Red Sox in two previous games in 2017. In both games, he earned losses and in the May 3 game, he only lasted one inning.

Not Gausy’s first 2017 shutout

While this wasn’t his first shutout of the season, it was the most notable. His other two shutouts were in back-to-back starts against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers in late July. With this latest win, Gausman’s record is 10-9 and his ERA is 4.98. He hasn’t had an ERA below five since early April.

Gausman’s final line for the night was 7.2 innings pitched, four hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. The other two pitchers in the game, Richard Bleier and Darren O’Day, did not give up any hits. O’Day walked one and struck out one in the ninth. Only Mookie Betts and Mitch Moreland earned hits against Orioles pitching.

Early run support

Gausman and the relievers had plenty of run support, too. Mark Trumbo had the best day at the plate going three for four and scoring two runs. Tim Beckham “Swaggy T” had a two-run home run and Jonathan Schoop “Mamba” had a solo home run. Craig Gentry “Gent” also had a good day, going two for four with one run scored.

Five runs were scored in the second inning as eight Orioles players saw time at the plate. Adam Jones “Pappo” got the offense started with a double. Beckham hit his timely home run with Trumbo and Gentry on base. Trumbo and Gentry earned RBIs in the inning, too.

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The offense on both sides remained quiet through the majority of the game. In the last two innings, the Orioles added two more runs. In the eighth, Schoop hit his 28th home run of the season tying teammate Manny Machado. In the ninth with Trumbo on base, Gentry earned his second RBI of the night with a double that plated Trumbo.

Ended a few streaks

This game ended Machado’s on-base streak and it ended the O’s “losing the second game of the series” streak. The game also put the Orioles 2.0 games back of the second Wild Card spot. They now sit 0.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals and 1.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels.

At 64-65, the Orioles are now in the third spot of the AL East, passing the Tampa Bay Rays. The O’s are nine games behind the Red Sox and 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees.

Next: Orioles defeat the Red Sox 16-3

Sunday’s game against the Red Sox starts at 1:35 with Wade Miley against Doug Fister. Miley’s August numbers have been outstanding, but Fister just had the best start of his career against the Cleveland Indians. Miley did not do well in his last start at Fenway. So, he is due for a quality start as the O’s hope to sweep the Red Sox before returning to Camden Yards for a long home stand.