Hammel and O's blank Blue Jays 3-0

The Orioles have now won their last three games without scoring many runs. They have scored a total of eight runs in the wins over Los Angeles and Toronto. Jason Hammel pitched seven shutout innings tonight as the Orioles beat the Blue Jays 3-0 for their first shutout of the year. The Orioles have allowed just three runs over the last three games. The Orioles improved to 11-7 on the year, going four games over the .500 mark for the first time in 2012. Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis backed Hammel with solo homers off losing pitcher Kyle Drabek, who gave up just the two runs over six innings to fall to 2-1 on the year. Adam Jones added an RBI double in the last of the eighth. Hammel gave up just four hits - all singles - over the seven frames with one walk and seven strikeouts. Hammel is now 3-0 on the year and lowered his ERA to 1.73. He has given up two earned runs or less in each of his four starts. Hammel, who pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth, threw 105 pitches. In two home starts, Hammel has pitched 15 innings and given up just six hits and one run. This was the 10th time on the year where an O's starter has gone six innings or more and they are 9-1 in those games. Meanwhile, the Orioles offense has scored three runs or less in seven of the last eight games, but the Orioles are 5-3 in those contests. After making two errors in the first two innings, Betemit hit his second homer in the last of the second. Two innings later, Davis hit his second on the year snapping a 3-for-24 stretch. The Orioles can complete a three-game sweep of Toronto tomorrow night at Camden Yards when Brian Matusz (0-3, 7.98) pitches against Drew Hutchinson (1-0, 8.44).