Kim's two-run homer lifts Orioles to sweep of D-backs
Hyun Soo Kim hit an early two-run homer and the Baltimore Orioles finished a three-game sweep of Arizona with a 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon.
The victory let the Orioles (85-71) hold on to the second wild-card spot. Baltimore came into this game with a half-game lead over Detroit for that No. 2 wild card.
Also, Sunday was Baltimore's final home game of the season. After this, the Orioles have an off-day Monday and finish the year with a three-game series in Toronto and one more three-game set against the New York Yankees.
Baltimore starter Dylan Bundy gave up one run in five innings. Bundy (10-7) allowed that only run in the fourth inning before the Orioles went to the bullpen in the sixth.
Mychal Givens came on and threw two scoreless innings. Brad Brach then took care of the eighth, stranding a runner at second in that inning.
Zach Britton then came on in the ninth and earned his 46th save in 46 chances this season.
Overall, the bullpen threw 10 1/3 scoreless innings while sweeping this three-game series against the Diamondbacks.
Braden Shipley (4-5) lasted a little longer. The Arizona starter gave up two runs in the second inning and went six innings overall, giving up two runs on four hits and left with the Orioles holding that 2-1 lead over his Diamondbacks (64-91).
The Orioles took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Pedro Alvarez led off with a single, and Kim made it 2-0 with his two-run homer versus Shipley.
Arizona answered in the fourth when Paul Goldschmidt got an RBI single that drove in Jean Segura, who had doubled. That cut the lead to 2-1, but Bundy got out of the inning, and the D-backs and Orioles could not do much else on offense after that.
NOTES: The Orioles and Diamondbacks held a moment of silence before the game for Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who died early Sunday in a boating accident. ... The Orioles still haven't completed their schedule of starters for the big three-game series in Toronto but RHP Kevin Gausman seems set for Tuesday's first game. If everything goes well with RHP Chris Tillman's side work Sunday, then he would be there for Wednesday. There is still no word on Thursday's starter although manager Buck Showalter said a few people are being considered. ... If Gausman starts Tuesday and all goes well with the intercostal issues that bothered him this week, he could be in place to start the season finale at Yankee Stadium next Sunday. That will all work itself out this week. ... Diamondbacks RHP Rubby De La Rosa is going to see Dr. James Andrews on Monday due to some lingering arm issues. Andrews performed Tommy John surgery on the pitcher in 2011.