Gonzalez, Joseph and Cruz comment after O's loss to Boston

Miguel Gonzalez didn't have a bad outing today, but for the first time since Aug. 2, he did not record a quality start.

He gave up two solo homers and three runs over 5 2/3 innings as Boston beat the Orioles 3-2.

"I thought it was better than last outing," Gonzalez said. "I felt good. Couple more days of rest. Everything looked good, just a couple of bad pitches, mistakes, and they were able to capitalize on that.

"I'm a flyball pitcher and that is going to happen. Wasn't truly happy about what happened today, but want to keep positive and things will be all right."

In six career starts against the Red Sox, Gonzalez is now 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA. But today, his run of six straight quality starts ended.

The O's home schedule also ended. But just for the regular season.

"Tough one because we lost the last game of the (home) season, but we're excited to come back for the postseason," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez was asked about pitching on extra rest, something O's starters are doing now and may continue to do as they head toward the playoffs.

"It helps everyone," he said. "You saw that yesterday with (Chris) Tillman. It helped me, I felt good today, ball was coming out well. It's going to be all right for us for the postseason."

Catcher Caleb Joseph talked about Gonzalez.

"Thought he was good. There was a seeing-eye single that drove in a run and a fly ball," Joseph said. "He hit it good, but I think on any other day it's maybe caught. He was able to get his work in and stay sharp. He kept us in the game.

"If a guy goes out and doesn't have his best stuff in meaningful games in October, it's good that they know how to navigate around that. Grind out starts and that is what all five of our starters have done. Give us a chance to win even when they don't have their best stuff."

Despite today's loss, Joseph said the team is still trying to grind out every win even with the division wrapped up.

"This team, whether it's now or the beginning of the year, we are trying to win each game," Joseph said. "That is a testament to everybody's character. There are 37,000 people out there. We are not going through the motions."

Nelson Cruz singled in the eighth today to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He's also hit safely in 14 of his last 15, batting .365 with 10 extra-base hits and 13 RBIs.

Cruz reflected on a 7-3 homestand that featured walk-off wins and the American League East clincher.

"No doubt. You have to take the positive stuff from these series', all the way to the playoffs," Cruz said. "We faced a good pitcher today."

Now what is the approach for the last road trip and the final seven games?

"Try to stay sharp. Buck (Showalter) has done a good job giving guys rest and the most important thing is stay healthy and stay sharp," Cruz said.