It's official: Steve Pearce is heating up (Schoop homers, O's win 4-1)

Steve Pearce started today at first base despite dragging a 5-for-44 slump into the game. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to get Pearce more at-bats, especially with Chris Davis mired in a lengthy slump. He also knew that right-handers were hitting .317 against Indians starter Danny Salazar. And with the Orioles struggling to score runs and their offense stuck in neutral, it was worth a shot. Former Oriole Chris Dickerson robbed Pearce of an extra-base hit last night. Pearce lined to center field in his first at-bat today. Two encouraging at-bats that ended in outs. Pearce doubled and scored in the sixth inning today, and he hit a long home run off Indians reliever C.C. Lee in the seventh to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Did you see see where that ball landed? Check it out here. Pearce tattooed a 93 mph fastball for his 12th home run of the season and his first since July 10 off Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez. Pearce and Davis each have two extra-base hits today. Davis was 2-for-22 in his last six games before today. The Orioles are 58-25 when they hit a home run. Kevin Gausman held the Indians to one run and two hits over six innings. He walked two batters in an inning twice without allowing a run. Neat trick. Gausman has allowed one run or fewer in seven of 13 starts. The Blue Jays are losing 6-2 to the White Sox in the sixth inning. The Yankees lead the Rays 3-1 in the sixth. Jim Johnson made his Tigers debut today and was charged with three runs (one earned) and two hits in two-thirds of an inning. He issued an intentional walk and struck out one. Update: Jonathan Schoop came close to hitting a home run earlier today, the ball slamming off the top of the fence in left-center field. He cleared the center field fence in the ninth inning for his 12th homer of the season, giving the Orioles a 4-1 lead. Ten of Schoop's 12 homers have come on the road. Nick Markakis followed with a double to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He's now 55 hits behind Boog Powell for fifth on the Orioles' all-time list. Still counting. Update II: The Orioles avoid the sweep with a 4-1 win over the Indians. Zach Britton recorded his 26th save in 29 chances. The Orioles outhit the Indians 12-2 while improving to 70-52 this season.