Gonzalez and Gausman updates (O's lose lead in 9th, now rain delay)

It may not be aesthetically pleasing, but Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez has made it through the sixth inning tonight against the Astros at Camden Yards.

One more out and he will reach a season high in innings.

Left-hander Troy Patton began to warm in the bullpen in the sixth inning as the Astros put runners on second and third with one out. Gonzalez retired the next two batters on a pop-up and grounder and made it back to the dugout with his pitch count at 83.

Gonzalez has allowed two runs and six hits, walked two, stuck out five and served up a home run.

Gonzalez also went six innings on April 9 against the Yankees and April 27 versus the Royals. He hasn't thrown more than 102 pitches in a start.

Houston's Collin McHugh (McWho?) was shutting out the Orioles on three hits over 5 2/3 innings before Adam Jones launched his fourth home run to reduce the lead to 2-1. Jones took a 90 mph fastball for a ride to center field.

The Orioles didn't have a hit since Steve Clevenger singled with two outs in the second inning.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk's Kevin Gausman made his first start tonight since going on the disabled list with pneumonia. He threw a season-high 77 pitches in 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking three and striking out six.

The Indianapolis roster is littered with former Orioles. Gausman opened the fifth by retiring Omir Santos and Blake Davis. He left after Chris Dickerson singled, and left-hander Chris Jones retired Robert Andino.

I'm getting misty just thinking about it.

Anyone seen Joe Mahoney?

Gausman's ERA is 2.08 in 26 innings over six starts.

Chris Davis is 1-for-4 at Double-A Bowie, including a single in the eighth inning. He must have wanted that extra at-bat.

Up in the press box, I've developed a twitch from the vendor who squawks, "Beer, beer, beer" in front of us. I'm mailing all of my medical bills to his house.

Update: Gonzalez is done after a season-high seven innings. He allowed two runs and six hits, walked two, struck out six and gave up a home run. He threw 90 pitches, 59 for strikes.

That's the 12th quality start for the rotation in 34 games.

The Orioles scored the tying run in the seventh on singles by J.J. Hardy, Clevenger and Steve Pearce, and a wild pitch.

Second and third, no outs and they didn't score the go-ahead run. Clevenger held at third on Nick Markakis' grounder to second, taking a step toward the plate before slamming on the brakes.

Tonight's attendance: 26,264.

Update II: Nelson Cruz hadn't homered in four straight games.

So much for that little streak.

Cruz led off the bottom of the eighth by crushing a first-pitch curveball from Josh Zeid for his 10th homer of the season, giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead.

Zach Britton tossed a scoreless top of the eighth to lower his ERA to 0.84 in 21 1/3 innings.

And here comes Tommy Hunter.

Update III: Hunter couldn't escape his latest jam.

Jose Altuve singled into center field with two outs to score two runs and give Houston a 4-3 lead as it began to rain.

Hunter, now 11-for-13 in save chances, allowed a one-out single to Chris Carter and double to Marc Krauss. Jonathan Villar bounced to second, and pinch-runner Marwin Gonzalez was tagged out in a rundown between third and home.

Altuve followed with his two-run single, and the grounds crew raced behind the tarp as Troy Patton entered the game.

We're heading to the bottom of the ninth. In a heavy rain.

The tarp is on the field. Delay started at 10:01 p.m. Enjoy.