A few notes and observations on another shutout win

So yes, it is kind of crazy that the Orioles allowed 27 runs and 36 hits against the Yankees in back-to-back games last weekend and now have allowed no runs on 14 hits in three straight shutouts against the same team.

According to STATS, LLC., the Orioles had never blanked the Yankees in three straight games. Until now. The last club to hold New York scoreless in three straight was the 1973 White Sox.

This is also the first time the Birds have posted consecutive shutouts since doing so in Games 1 and 2 of a doubleheader on June 28, 2015 versus the Indians.

And this was against a New York team that was playing good baseball when they got to Camden Yards. They were coming off two straight extra-inning wins at Kansas City, had won six of eight games and had won seven of their last eight series since Aug. 5. The Yankees offense had produced five or more runs in 14 of their last 20 games before this series. The Yankees were 7-4 in their last 11 American League East games coming into this series. But not even Gary Sanchez can get it going against O's pitchers - he's 1-for-6 in this series.

Yankees batters are 6-for-57 (.105) with no extra-base hits in this series and are batting just .154 (14-for-91) with only two extra-base hits (a pair of doubles) in their last three games.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of these three shutouts are that the games were started by Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Gausman again. The youngsters have combined for 18 2/3 scoreless innings in those games. The young guns are getting it done for the Orioles right now.

Gausman's split-finger pitch is suddenly back as a plus pitch after it seemed somewhat ordinary for a few starts. In six scoreless innings last night, he threw 59 percent fastballs, 11 percent breaking balls and 30 percent splits/changeups. He had a real good one last night.

Over his past three starts, Gausman has thrown 19 scoreless innings with four walks and 19 strikeouts. He has an ERA of 0.80 in five 2016 starts versus the Yankees, allowing three runs in 33 2/3 innings.

Gausman didn't get his first win of this season until June 25. He won just three of his first 21 starts and now he is 4-0 in his last four starts. In 11 home starts, he is 6-1 with a 2.27 ERA.

Adam Jones hit a homer last night and it was his 25th of the year. According to a graphic last night on MASN's "O's Xtra," Jones joins Cal Ripken Jr. with six consecutive seasons of 25 or more home runs - tops in club history:

6 - Ripken (1982-87)
6 - Jones (2011-16)
5 - Chris Davis (2012-16)
4 - Rafael Palmeiro (1995-98), Eddie Murray (1977-80), Murray (1982-85).

Jones' six seasons with at least 25 home runs are third-most in club history. Murray had 10 and Ripken had eight overall. The above list is only for consecutive seasons with 25 or more.

The Orioles could not gain ground on the Toronto Blue Jays when they played earlier this week. But since the Jays left Baltimore, the Orioles have gained two games over the last two days to pull within two games of first place.

The O's, for now, have some momentum back on their side. Do they sweep the Yankees today? Will they give up a run?