In final game before trade deadline, O's win road trip finale

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles built an eight-run lead, then saw that turn into a Zach Britton save situation. They also watched the Texas Rangers celebrate Adrian Beltre's 3,000th hit, but they also won.

After losing the series opener on Friday night, they got 8 2/3 scoreless innings from Kevin Gausman last night and a lot of offense today to beat the Rangers 10-6 and win this series.

It was their last game before Monday's 4 p.m. trade deadline and, as of the game's end, the only deal the club has made was the Friday night acquisition of pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. But the rumor mill is bound to be grinding over the next several hours.

"It's all about the W," third baseman Manny Machado said, after a three-hit game. "We are trying to get on a roll and win some games. We are not really worried about who is going to get traded or what is going to happen. That's just something the front office can control. We just play baseball, get outs, key at-bats, play inning by inning and do the small things to keep us going."

Added center fielder Adam Jones: "It's always important to win. I, along with many other players in here, firmly believe that we are still in this race. We have two months to go pretty much and it's going to be tough these next two months. But I believe if we play the game like we played today, we should put ourselves in a good position."

The Orioles built a 10-2 lead in the sixth, scoring four in the fourth, five in the fifth and one in the sixth. Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer and Welington Castillo a three-run shot in the fifth, when the Orioles turned a 4-2 lead into a 9-2 edge.

They had 13 hits and went 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Schoop drove in three and has 22 RBIs his last 13 games. Schoop has 76 RBIs and has moved past New York's Aaron Judge for second in the American League in RBIs. Castillo drove in four - his third game of the year with four or more RBIs.

"You play a day game here and the ball is flying, you've got to keep adding on. You've got to keep adding on because we knew they were going to make a run," manager Buck Showalter said. "(Wade) Miley was good. I've got to tell you. Wade pitched five innings, held that club to two runs. It may not look always aesthetically pleasing, but he never gave in and started just throwing. We needed all our bullets today."

That included Britton pitching on back-to-back days for the first time since April 13-14. With two on and the Orioles leading 10-6 in the ninth, he struck out No. 3 hitter Nomar Mazara and got Beltre to ground out to end it. Britton recorded a 10-pitch save with his velocity topping out at 98 mph. If this turns out to be his last game with the team, as he remains the subject of trade rumors, he would be leaving the Orioles on a high note.

"I told you all he was probably going to be better second time out. He feels good. He'll be ready to pitch tomorrow," Showalter said.

The Orioles were effusive in their praise of and respect for Beltre this weekend. His double in the fourth made him the 31st member of Major League Baseball's 3,000-hit club. He is the first player born in the Dominican Republic to get 3,000 hits and the first player to reach 3,000 in a Texas uniform.

Here are some of the Orioles comments on Beltre:

Showalter: "It's an honor to be here for it. You couldn't have drawn it better, where we win and you get a chance to see that. I think everybody in the game has a lot of respect for him, not only statistically but the way he's handled his success over the years. Not once has this guy embarrassed his family or his team or anybody. I didn't realize he was the first Dominican player. That's surprising. That's quite a feat. I know he's got to take a lot of national pride in that, too."

Machado: "It was amazing. As a baseball fan, you get to see that, it's obviously a great accomplishment. To get 3,000 hits, only 30 players that have done that. So to be a part of that history was amazing. Obviously, he's a friend and a teammate that I played with. Excited to see him, as a Dominican player be the first to get to that milestone."

Jones: "Just as a baseball fan, that's unbelievable. He's seen my first hit, he's seen all my firsts - me, personally - in the big leagues. And to see No. 3,000 for me as a fan of his and a friend of his, that's pretty special to be able to share that moment with him and see his family."

Mark Trumbo was a late scratch today after he tweaked his back stretching in the weight room.