Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gausman Outduels Rick Porcello in Fenway
By Joe Serpico
Kevin Gausma had the best start of his Major League career to move the Baltimore Orioles within one game of the AL East lead.
The Baltimore Orioles have been waiting for Kevin Gausman to finally put it all together. He did so on Wednesday night.
The right hander fired eight innings of shutout baseball, allowing four hits while striking out six, and Zach Britton came on to close the door for his 43rd save as the O’s defeated the Boston Red Sox, 1-0.
Gausman’s fastball was electric all night, hitting 99 mph on his final pitch of the game. All four hits were singles and he lowered his ERA to 3.43 It was his fourth scoreless outing in his last five starts and only his second win on the road this season.
Rick Porcello, the only 20-game winner in Major League Baseball, was 13-0 at Fenway Park entering the night and pitched a fantastic game as well. His numbers were nearly identical to Gausman – 8 IP, 4 H, 6 K – with a solo home run being the difference. The Cy Young candidate retired 19 of the last 20 batters he faced, but never got the run support.
Mark Trumbo‘s solo blast over the Green Monster in the second inning was the only run of the game. It was home run No. 42 for Trumbo, who now has 100 RBI on the season. The slugger continues to lead the Majors in home runs and tied a career high in RBI.
Britton needed only 15 pitches to preserve the win and move the Orioles one game back from the Red Sox in the AL East. It was another series win for Baltimore, and the first time they have won a three-series road trip since 1998.
Next: Orioles Use Long Ball, Bullpen to Tighten AL East Race
The Orioles return home for a four-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays tomorrow evening. Tampa did Baltimore a favor by winning their series over the Toronto Blue Jays, moving the O’s a game ahead of the Jays in both the American League East and Wild Card race.