Orioles hand Blue Jays sixth straight loss
TORONTO -- Kevin Gausman pitched six effective innings, Jonathan Schoop and J.J. Hardy had fifth-inning RBIs, and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Thursday night.
It was the sixth loss in a row for the Blue Jays (1-8), who are off the worst start in franchise history. The Orioles (6-2) are the early leaders in the American League East.
Gausman (1-0) allowed five hits, two walks and one run. He struck out three.
Toronto left-hander Francisco Liriano (0-1) gave up five hits, two walks and two runs in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out 10.
The Orioles took the lead with four consecutive hits in the fifth inning.
Welington Castillo and Trey Mancini singled. Schoop doubled to center score one run, with Mancini thrown out at home on the relay throw by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki after Kevin Pillar retrieved the ball. Hardy followed with an RBI single, and Baltimore was on top 2-0.
Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson hit one-out doubles in the sixth inning to trim the Orioles' lead to 2-1.
Donaldson, however, aggravated the calf injury that forced him to miss the start Tuesday, and he was removed for pinch runner Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Darren O'Day pitched a perfect seventh before Brad Brach set the side down in order in the eighth for the Orioles.
Zach Britton survived a walk and a single in the bottom of the ninth to earn his fourth save.
He allowed a one-out single by Tulowitzki and walked Russell Martin. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. Pillar grounded out to shortstop as the runners held. Pinch hitter Steve Pearce, a former Oriole, flied out to center.
Liriano was replaced by Joe Biagini with two outs and a runner at first base in the seventh inning. After Biagini pitched 1 1/3 flawless innings, Joe Smith struck out the side in the top of the ninth for Toronto.
NOTES: Toronto LF Ezequiel Carrera was inserted into the leadoff spot, and 2B Devon Travis was dropped to the No. 9 spot. 3B Josh Donaldson was used as designated hitter for the second game in a row before exiting. ... The Orioles selected the contract of RHP Stefan Crichton from Triple-A Norfolk and designated RHP Oliver Drake for assignment. ... Orioles RHP Alec Asher will be promoted from Triple-A Norfolk to make the start Saturday. ... The teams will the play the second of the four-game series Friday at the Rogers Centre. The Orioles will start LHP Wade Miley (0-0, 0.00 ERA) against Blue Jays RHP Aaron Sanchez (0-0, 1.29 ERA).