Trumbo two-run single gives Orioles 5-3 win (updated)

Getting back some of their injured players was deemed as a possible solution to what's been ailing the Orioles. Maybe inject some life into the offense. Maybe tighten up the defense.

Maybe create some late-inning excitement and a much-coveted win.

The defense part, though improved, remains a work in progress, but the Orioles won't quibble on this night. They'll just give thanks. Sweat profusely and offer their gratitude.

Mark Trumbo, in his eighth game since coming off the disabled list, lined a two-out, two-run single into center field off Royals reliever Kevin McCarthy, and the Orioles ended their losing streak at seven games with a 5-3 victory before an announced crowd of 14,375 at Camden Yards.

The Orioles improved to 9-27 while winning for only the third time in 16 games and the fourth in 23.

Manny Machado reached on an infield hit with two outs and raced to third base on a double by Jonathan Schoop, playing in his second game since being activated. Trumbo drove a single up the middle and the game no longer was tied.

Richard Bleier (3-0) earned the win with two more scoreless innings that reduced his ERA to 0.40. Brad Brach escaped a huge jam in the ninth for his fourth save, striking out Jon Jay with runners on second and third and two outs.

Chris Davis hit an opposite-field, three-run homer off Royals left-hander Eric Skoglund in the fourth inning to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead. But they wasted a first-and-third, no-out situation in the fifth and Kansas City pushed across the tying run in the sixth on Lucas Duda's two-out bloop single.

Andrew Cashner didn't allow a hit until Salvador Perez bounced a single into center field with two outs in the fourth inning and Duda deposited an 0-1 curveball into the Orioles' bullpen to give Kansas City a 2-0 lead. Cashner got a called strike on a 92 mph fastball, dropped down to 80 and surrendered his 10th homer in eight starts.

The Royals left the bases loaded in the sixth after tying the game, with Cashner knocking down Alcides Escobar's liner and throwing him out.

Bleier entered the game in the seventh and ended both innings with double plays started by Schoop. He's permitted only one run in 22 2/3 innings this season.

Brach worked the ninth with Darren O'Day on the disabled list and issued a four-pitch walk to Whit Merrifield. Alex Gordon reached on Schoop's error as he lost control of Danny Valencia's throw on a routine double play ball. But Brach retired the next three batters, striking out Ryan Goins and Jay.

Cashner allowed three runs and six hits, walked two batters and struck out three. He threw 111 pitches, 72 for strikes, while registering his fourth quality start.

Skoglund was taking his turn at flummoxing the Orioles. Entering the game with a 6.84 ERA in five starts and a 7.92 ERA and 1.782 WHIP in 12 career games, Skoglund retired nine batters in a row after Trey Mancini's leadoff single and briefly held the lead.

Adam Jones led off the fourth with a single, hustled to second base on Machado's fly ball to left-center field and stopped at third on Schoop's single to center field. Trumbo popped up as the runners held, but Davis drove a 93 mph fastball over the left field fence - a modest 368 feet but a big blow for a slugger who's been searching for his stroke.

Davis homered in back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 23-25, 2017 and on back-to-back nights for the first time since May 31-June 1, 2017. He has four hits against left-handers this season and three are home runs.

Skoglund allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings to lower his ERA to 6.34.

The Orioles have been outscored 50-11 in the first inning this season, but Cashner retired the side in order tonight on 12 pitches. A fly ball to Jones and two grounders. Confetti swirled above Eutaw St.

Cashner allowed one baserunner through three innings on Alex Gordon's leadoff walk in the third. Gordon was erased when Caleb Joseph pounced on Escobar's tapper in front of the plate and fired to second base. Risky but effective.

The Orioles had a golden opportunity to create some separation in the fifth after Craig Gentry's leadoff walk and Joseph's single. Gentry was running on the pitch and reached third base, but Mancini struck out and Jones grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

The Royals tied the score in the sixth and the Orioles loosened some knots that have been building in stomachs.

Update: Triple-A Norfolk infielder Engelb Vielma left tonight's game in Durham with a knee injury. He was carted off the field and he's headed to Baltimore for an examination.

A break in the kneecap could put Vielma on the 60-day disabled list.

Here's manager Buck Showalter following tonight's win:

On Trumbo being a reminder what they missed: "Mark had as good a year as you'd want to see somebody have the year before last and he did some good things for us last year. But even Jon and the double plays that we're able to turn now that we were having struggles with, getting those two guys back has been a good feeling. I hope we gained some confidence from it.

"It was a good defensive game for us. That one in the ninth, but Jon made two nice plays, Manny made a great play coming across, Caleb made a great play on a bunt, Mancini made a great play in left field, Danny did well at third. There were a lot of good defensive plays there, so that was good to see. Cash was good. Got a big out, I thought the last out he got, and very quietly Richard's having a really good year."

On whether it's too early to think Davis is busting out: "Yes. I can allow myself that. Sure. It's hard to do. Sometimes, left-handers kind of lock you in a little bit. Chris has got a couple adjustments that he's trying to make and it's looked good. Of course, he's made adjustments all along. All hitters do. You have to. But he had a big blow for us tonight."

On Brach closing: "That's the only pitcher we'll have available, too. But Brad's a good choice. He had two days off. He'll lament the four-pitch walk, but after that he pitched real well.

"We were fortunate. Shortstop's one of the better bunters in the league and were fortunate to get an out there. Manny was thinking about catching that ball on the short hop, but it's kind of tough because it stayed up in the air too much. But Brad and Caleb got a good feel for the changeup split and went with it, and as soon as he got that first out you could see him gain confidence."

On tonight as a reminder that better times might be ahead: "Without a doubt. We think that every day, that today is going to be the beginning of something special. I talk about it all the time: It's pretty consistent in there and it's a real challenging time for personalities and staying together. And I've real proud of the guys, the way they've gone about it. There's not a lot of change in work habits or want-to. They're supportive of each other and so is the coaching staff.

"We're in this together. The fans, everybody. We've got a stake in this. One game, it's good to come in the clubhouse and have people feel good about themselves and shake hands and listen to some form of music that I had nothing to do with picking out."