Davis beats shift, Orioles break scoreless tie (O's win 4-2)

The Angels changed pitchers after the fifth inning tonight, and the Orioles waited until there were two outs to go about changing the score. J.J. Hardy doubled to bring home Chris Davis and give the Orioles a 1-0 lead, and Jonathan Schoop followed with a two-run homer to center field. Apparently, Schoop likes his jack on the rocks. Let's go back to Davis' at-bat against Angels reliever Mike Morin, which followed strikeouts by Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz. Davis fell behind 0-2, took a fastball out of the strike zone and slapped a changeup to the left side for an infield hit, beating the shift and setting the table for Hardy. He was 4-for-29 with 15 strikeouts in his last nine games, 7-for-46 with 24 strikeouts in his last 13 games and 9-for-72 with 33 strikeouts in his last 21 games. The infield leaves an inviting hole on the left side, which is kind of like saying the Grand Canyon is an inviting hole for tourists. Hardy followed with a shot into right-center field, and Davis showed again that he runs really well for a big man. Schoop launched his eighth home run, made possible because he moved up two spots in the order after Manny Machado was scratched with tightness in his lower back. Update: The Orioles increased their lead to 4-0 in the eighth on doubles by Cruz and Hardy. Hardy has 21 doubles and 30 RBIs this season. He's 6-for-17 on this trip with three doubles, a home run and four RBIs. Miguel Gonzalez has tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. He's surrendered three earned runs in his last three starts over 23 innings. Update II: Mike Trout hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth to reduce the Orioles' lead to 4-2. Tommy Hunter replaces Gonzalez, who's allowed five earned runs in his last three starts over 23 2/3 innings. Hunter got the final out and hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 12 appearances 14 innings. Update III: The Orioles move a season-high 11 games above .500 with another 4-2 win over the Angels. Zach Britton earned his 18th save in 21 opportunities, striking out two. The Angels had won 10 consecutive home series. The Blue Jays and Yankees also won tonight, so the Orioles maintain a four-game lead in the American League East.