Orioles option Gausman, Showalter speaks after 3-1 loss

The Orioles have optioned right-hander Kevin Gausman to the Gulf Coast League team. A corresponding roster move will be announced on Thursday.

Same paper move as the one earlier today involving left-hander Wei-Yin Chen.

Relievers Ryan Webb and Joe Saunders pitched today for Triple-A Norfolk. Evan Meek and Preston Guilmet did not get into the game.

Gausman, who worked four innings tonight, is listed as Monday's starter against the Twins at Camden Yards. It's possible that the Orioles push him back to Tuesday against the Reds. Ubaldo Jimenez has a 2.45 ERA in seven career starts against the Twins.

Lots of moving parts.

The Rays will hold onto left-hander Drew Smyly, who limited the Orioles to a Chris Davis solo home run over seven innings in a 3-1 victory. He surrendered two hits and struck out six.

Showalter has long admired Smyly, who came to the Rays in the three-team trade that included the Mariners. Tampa Bay sent left-hander David Price to the Tigers.

"That's why you give up guys like David Price," Showalter said. "Great angle. That's why you see gun readings and you'll see one guy throw 95 and another guy throw 95, and it's the finish, the angle. There's so many things that go into being a good pitcher. The deception because of the angle and the spin on the curveball. Slider. Threw just enough fastballs to keep you honest. Late recognition on the offspeed pitches. All the things that go into making a good pitcher.

"We knew coming in, obviously, one of their strengths is their starting pitching. We knew he was going to be a challenge, just like the guys the first two nights and the guy tomorrow."

Smyly has allowed three runs in his last four starts covering 30 2/3 innings.

"Runs were going to be at a premium," Showalter said. "I'm proud that we stayed connected to the game. Gaus didn't let it get away from him, either. That may not seem like much in a losing cause, but we stayed connected to the score and had the tying run up there a couple of times. But the way they were pitching, they didn't make many mistakes."

Gausman was lifted after 80 pitches. He's 7-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 15 starts.

"It would have been very easy to run him back out there," Showalter said. "Just thought each hitter, it seemed like there weren't a whole lot of unchallenging outs. A lot of deep counts. Any time a pitcher, especially a young pitcher, throws 80-something pitches in four innings, you're not going to get a whole lot out of having him pitch one more inning. Especially when you've got Mac (T.J. McFarland) there, who did what Mac does and has done for us most all of the year."

McFarland tossed three scoreless innings in relief, allowing only one hit.

"Put us in a position to be strong in our bullpen again tomorrow," Showalter said.

Tommy Hunter and Darren O'Day each contributed a scoreless inning.

"I knew if I used Darren and Tommy just one inning that I'd have them both back tomorrow instead of extending them," Showalter said. "Mac gave us a key outing tonight to keep us on our feet in the bullpen. Gaus, just didn't think the return for letting him try to get through another inning, especially with the top of the order, was worth it."

Showalter supported second baseman Jonathan Schoop's decision to throw home on Matt Joyce's ground ball in the first, rather than taking the easy out. Ben Zobrist scored to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead.

"We had the infield at a forward until they went deep in the count and them moved them back, but tip your hat to the guy at third," Showalter said. "One of his strengths is arm strength. You feel something, you go for it. I don't want him going back and going, 'I wish I'd done this.' I wouldn't want him to go home (thinking), 'Maybe I could have thrown him out and we got beat 2-1.'

"I applaud him for having the guts to try and make that play. It was real close looking back at the replay. It's unconventional, but not many second basemen have Jon's arm strength and the want-to to try and make a play for the Baltimore Orioles."