Hammel with another gem (O's win 3-0)

Jason Hammel gave up a leadoff single to Edwin Encarnacion in the top of the seventh inning, which constituted trouble on this night. Then he retired the next three batters, which made this a typical night for Hammel. Hammel blanked the Blue Jays over seven innings, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out seven. He threw 105 pitches, 65 for strikes, before Matt Lindstrom replaced him in the eighth. Hammel's ERA is down to 1.73. He hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his four starts. And he's fanned 17 batters in his last two starts covering 13 innings. As manager Buck Showalter would say, "So far, so good." We'll assume that Pedro Strop is closing this game if it's another save situation. He went two innings on Sunday, was off Monday, and threw one inning last night. Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar had reached base against the Orioles in 15 straight games before this series. He's 0-for-8 in the first two games. Tonight's attendance: 10,415. Lindstrom just retired the Jays in order in the eighth and struck out two. Update: Adam Jones provided a big insurance run in the eighth with a two-out double that scored Nick Markakis, who walked, and Pedro Strop recorded his second save in two nights after the first two batters reached against him. Adam Lind singled and Eric Thames reached on an infield hit, the ball deflecting off Strop. Edwin Encarnacion flied to center and Brett Lawrie grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Orioles 3, Blue Jays 0. It's the Orioles' first shutout since Sept. 9, 2011 in Toronto. Are we having fun yet?