Britton now 2-0 as O's blank Texas to go to 6-1

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 09, 2011, 2:59pm

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Zach Britton's second major league start was even better than his first. After allowing one run against Tampa in a victorious debut, today Britton did not allow a run as the Orioles beat Texas 5-0 in game one of the twin bill at the Yard. Britton did not allow a hit through 4 1/3 and pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings vs. the Rangers. He gave up four hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He is now 2-0 with an ERA of 0.66. He has given up just one run through 13 2/3 frames. Britton threw 103 pitches, 63 for strikes. He and the O's blanked a Texas team that had scored 42 runs during a 6-0 start. They were MLB's last unbeaten team and now both the O's and Rangers are 6-1. Jason Berken got the final four outs to complete the shutout. Nick Markakis hit his first homer of the year, a solo shot in the first off right-hander Colby Lewis, and Mark Reynolds added a three-run shot in the second. It was a 422-foot blast to left. Adam Jones added an RBI single in the third as the O's staked Britton to an early 5-0 lead. The Orioles are now 40-24 over 64 games under Buck Showalter and they are 17-4 in series-opening games with Buck. Jake Arrieta faces lefty Matt Harrison in game two.