Showalter on 2-1 11-inning win

Matt Wieters wasn't in Sunday's lineup because of some back tightness. He catches 11 innings tonight and hits a walk-off home run to give the Orioles a 2-1 victory over the Braves at Camden Yards.

Go figure.

Wieters has four career walk-off home runs. Wieters, Jonathan Schoop and David Lough have hit walk-off homers this season.

Wieters was 0-for-14 before a single in the seventh inning. He also singled in the ninth and sent everyone home in the 11th.

No worries about the back.

"He was fine," Showalter said of Wieters, who cleared the center field fence on the second pitch from Braves reliever Luis Avilan. "I'm pretty glad I didn't pinch-run for him an inning or two before.

"We could have pushed the envelope yesterday, but then he may not have been able to do what he did tonight. He and Gaus (Kevin Gausman) were on the same page. The tempo was so good because there's not much shaking off going on. You got those types of things at your disposal as a catcher, it certainly helps. A lot of guys pitched well tonight."

Gausman shut out the Braves over a career-high 7 2/3 innings, but he's winless in his last 12 starts. The lack of run support tonight cheated him out of a much-deserved victory.

"Pretty good, huh? Really good," Showalter said. "Kevin was sharp. Bottom of the zone, command of the breaking ball. Matt did a good job mixing it up. A lot of late life, a lot of weak contact, much like their pitcher (Alex Wood). He was pretty good. I can see why they like him so much. Very deceptive delivery."

The rotation delivered again tonight.

"I just hope it continues," Showalter said. "I don't want to get overanalytical about it. Guys kind of feed off it sometimes. The way that we're being challenged to score runs, we need it. To win the last three games, it's been a challenge for us, so I think it's coming at a good time. You always hope you get both of them going. We caught the ball and pitched well and that's why we stayed in the game."

Showalter used four relievers, but none for more than an inning. The bullpen should be fine for Tuesday's game.

"It better be," Showalter said. "We don't have anybody optionable down there. Yes. We were able to spread it around. We got some length and I would imagine about everybody would be available tomorrow with the way they were used the last three or four days."

Showalter said he had no doubts that his team would bounce back after a long road trip that ended 4-5. The Orioles are .500 again at 49-49 after winning three games in a row.

"It isn't easy to go out and do what they did," Showalter said. "We got back late and they've got stuff scattered all over the place and then you play a team you don't know. ... When it's all said and done, it revolves around pitching. We didn't do a whole lot of damage against their guy. We've been facing some really good pitching lately and will again tomorrow."

The Yankees and Rays won tonight. The Orioles are tied for second place, seven games out of first.

"You try to win a game tonight and see where it takes you," Showalter said. "If you sit there and start scoreboard watching with 64 games left, until you start taking care of your own business, it doesn't matter."

Zach Britton hadn't allowed a run in nine consecutive appearances before tonight. Brad Brach got the win while extending his season-high scoreless streak to 10 games over 13 innings.

Nick Markakis made his return to Camden Yards and had a double and single in five at-bats. He received a huge ovation leading off the top of the first inning, worked the count full and lined his double to left field.

"We knew about Nick," Showalter said. "I was pretty proud of how everybody responded to him. It was one of those things where we were all in the dugout wanting to applaud, too, but you kind of did it with your heart and not your hands.

"Especially when you play so many unfriendly venues, more than just the unfriendly fans, it's nice to get back to this type of baseball environment for our players. It's always a reminder of what we're trying to accomplish and what it means to so many people other than us."

Showalter said he retrieved the ball from Markakis' double.

"I'm going to write a little something on it and send it over," he said. "It may not be completely fit for family time. It'll have two sides to it.

"I can take in a moment when you get as old as I am. They did a great job with the video salute, and the one where Nicky had broke his hand. We miss him."