Trumbo powers Orioles over Indians
BALTIMORE -- Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer, and Pedro Alvarez added a solo shot to support seven shutout innings from starter Kevin Gausman as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Cleveland Indians 5-2 on Saturday night.
Trumbo hit his homer in the first as the Orioles (56-40), who won their third straight game, scored three in the opening inning as they did Friday.
That proved plenty for Gausman (2-7), who turned in a second consecutive strong start. The right-hander snapped a two-game losing streak and allowed four hits while striking out seven and walking three.
Zach Britton recorded his 32nd save in 32 chances by getting the game's final out after Lonnie Chisenhall lined a two-run double off Brad Brach in the ninth.
Indians starter Josh Tomlin (10-3) lost for the second time in three starts despite pitching well. Tomlin's had trouble with homers this season and gave up Trumbo's blast plus Alvarez's solo homer in the seventh that gave the Orioles a 4-0 lead over Cleveland (56-40).
Tomlin now has given up 24 homers in 113 2 /3 innings this season. He allowed four runs in six-plus innings despite striking out eight without a walk.
Jonathan Schoop added an RBI single for Baltimore's last run.
For the second straight night, the Orioles struck early.
Adam Jones led off with a single and later scored the first run when Chris Davis grounded into a force-out.
Davis saved the rally by hustling to beat the throw to first on a double play ball, which would have ended the inning.
Trumbo followed with a two-run home run to left field, giving the Orioles another 3-0 lead. That was his 30th homer this season, and he came into the game leading the majors.
Cleveland couldn't start much on offense in this game, which featured a 14-minute rain delay before the fourth. The Indians put runners on base in four of the first five innings but stranded two in the first and grounded into inning-ending double plays in fourth and fifth.
NOTES: On the injury front, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said C Matt Wieters (foot) is doing better but did not start for a fifth straight game. Showalter's hoping for a Monday return. ... LF Hyun Soo Kim (strained hamstring) will go on a two-day rehab assignment to Double-A Bowie starting Sunday and could return from the disabled list as early as Tuesday. RHP Darren O'Day (strained hamstring) could be activated Sunday or Monday. ... RHP Ubaldo Jimenez went on the paternity leave list, and the Orioles recalled RHP Tyler Wilson from Triple-A Norfolk. ... 3B Juan Uribe, hit in the head last night, felt better on Saturday. Indians manager Terry Francona said Uribe woke up with a bit of a headache and soreness where the pitch hit him in the face but can play. Still, Uribe did not start. ... RF Lonnie Chisenhall returned to the lineup Saturday after missing Friday's game due to a virus. Francona said Chisenhall got IVs Friday and improved.