Hammel keeps the quality coming (O's win 6-3)

Orioles starter Jason Hammel kept the rotation on its recent roll tonight. Hammel labored early, but he became the fourth consecutive Orioles pitcher to complete six innings. And he kept going, striking out Reid Brignac and Austin Romine in the seventh before manager Buck Showalter signaled for left-hander Brian Matusz. OK, Kevin Gausman, it's your turn. Hammel tied his longest outing of the season at 6 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs and six hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. He threw 109 pitches, four short of his season high, including 75 for strikes. Hammel really needed this one, as did the Orioles. He permitted seven runs and 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings in his last start against Tampa Bay, and 13 runs and 18 hits over 8 2/3 innings in his last two outings. Talk about finishing strong tonight. Hammel retired the last six batters he faced, fanning the last two, and gave the Orioles their season-high fourth consecutive quality start. The rotation has posted a 3.16 ERA in those four starts. Tonight marked Hammel's fourth quality start out of 10 outings. Hammel has been his own harshest critic this season. Let's see whether he gives himself a passing grade for tonight's start. Update: Matusz tossed 1 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings, Darren O'Day got the final three outs after surrendering a leadoff home run to David Adams, and the Orioles took two of three from the Yankees with tonight's 6-3 victory. Jim Johnson began to warm up after Adams' home run, but O'Day took care of business, striking out the last two Yankees. Hammel improves to 6-2 with a 5.37 ERA. The Orioles have won two in a row for the first time since May 7-8 vs. Kansas City. Honestly, how many fans predicted that the Orioles would win this series with CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda starting for the Yankees? And after the Orioles had lost five in a row? Tonight's attendance: 26,725