Gausman gets through six innings, O's lose 6-2

Going into his most recent start before tonight, Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman had surrendered three home runs over his first six outings. Then came the career-tying three that he allowed in five innings at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

A bad sign followed by a really bad start to tonight's game.

The Red Sox hit three home runs off Gausman in the first two innings, with Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia going back-to-back to open the game and Betts delivering a three-run shot in his next at-bat.

This series is off to a disturbing start for the Orioles, who are trying to avoid losing again and falling three games behind the Red Sox in the American League East.

Gausman does receive credit for completing six innings at 113 pitches, one above his season high. He retired 10 of the last 11 batters, with Hanley Ramirez reaching on Gausman's throwing error in the sixth.

Gausman allowed five runs and five hits, walked two and struck out eight. His ERA is 3.78 in 47 2/3 innings.

The home runs came on fastballs clocked at 92, 93 and 95 mph.

Gausman walked No. 7 hitter Chris Young with one out in the second and No. 9 hitter Christian Vazquez with two outs before Betts unloaded again. He received a visit from pitching coach Dave Wallace after falling behind 1-0 to Betts, but it did no good.

Gausman stranded two in the third by striking out Young on a 96 mph heater and he retired the side in the fourth, finally retiring Betts on a low liner to Jonathan Schoop. His pitch count was 81.

The Orioles scored a run off Eduardo Rodriguez in the third on Joey Rickard's leadoff single and Nolan Reimold's two-out double to right-center field. Manny Machado followed with a drive to left-center that appear to be a home run until Young made a leaping catch in front of the home bullpen. A dagger for a team trying to get back in the game.

Paul Janish led off the fifth with a double and scored on Adam Jones' two-out single. Jones is 6-for-17 with four RBIs from the leadoff spot.

Rodriguez, the former Orioles minor leaguer, is making his 2016 debut after injuring his knee in spring training. He came off the disabled list today.

The wheels came off early for Gausman.

According to ESPN, this is the first time the Red Sox started a road game with back-to-back home runs since 1973.

Rodrigo Lopez was the last Orioles pitcher to allow back-to-back home runs to start a game on June 14, 2006 in Toronto. Alex Rios and Frank Catalanotto took him deep.

Rick Krivda was the last Orioles pitcher to do it in Baltimore on May 21, 1996 against the Angels. Rex Hudler and Don Slaught did the honors.

Update: Betts homered again in the seventh off Dylan Bundy, the first Red Sox player with three home runs in the same game since Will Middlebrooks on April 7, 2013 in Toronto. The Orioles are down 6-2.

Update II: The Orioles lose 6-2 and fall three games behind the Red Sox in the American League East.

Ashur Tolliver, in his fourth major league appearance, retired the side in order in the ninth inning. He induced a ground ball from Betts, a victory in itself.