Kevin Gausman knocked out in fifth as Boston wins (clubhouse quotes)

For the Orioles, the search for the quality start continues. Right-hander Andrew Cashner came one out short Sunday and right-hander Kevin Gausman appeared on his way to one tonight. But a four-run fifth inning intervened.

Gausman allowed five runs over 4 2/3 innings as Boston beat the Orioles 5-3 in the start of a seven-game homestand at Oriole Park. In two starts wrapped around the All-Star break, Gausman has allowed 10 runs over 9 2/3 innings.

The Orioles played Game No. 101 tonight and they are 28-73 and 0-4 since the All-Star Game. They've lost seven of nine, 14 of 18 and 21 of their last 26 games. They are 1-10 versus Boston and 11-29 within the American League East.

Gausman stayed in through two short rain delays. The first of 41 minutes started after he got the first two outs of a 1-2-3 first inning. The second lasted 19 minutes and began with the Orioles batting in the last of the third.

Mitch Moreland's solo homer - a 412-foot blast to center leading off the second - provided Boston the early 1-0. They moved ahead 5-0 in the fifth against Gausman and reliever Miguel Castro.

Gausman needed just 49 pitches to get through four innings on one hit and with no walks - and then walked three straight batters during the fifth. With Xander Bogaerts on second and one out after a double, two walks loaded the bases. The third, to No. 9 hitter Jackie Bradley Jr., forced in a run for a 2-0 lead. Gausman got Mookie Betts to chase a slider off the plate for a strikeout. But he couldn't strand the bases loaded when Andrew Benintendi hit a ground-rule two-run double to left. It ended his night with the score 4-0. When J.D. Martinez singled to the hole at short, Tim Beckham dove to keep the ball in the infield, but another run scored and it was 5-0.

Gausman falls to 4-8 with an ERA of 4.54 after a 79-pitch outing. Before these last two starts, he had pitched to an ERA of 3.13 over his previous six games. The Orioles are 5-15 in Gausman's 20 starts and 1-11 over his past 12.

Winning pitcher Rick Porcello threw six scoreless innings on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 90 pitches and is 12-4 with an ERA of 3.93.

The Orioles had yet another frustrating night on offense. Beckham was picked off first to end the first. Jace Peterson was easily cut down from first base at home on Jonathan Schoop's double in the third. An inning later, Adam Jones was at third with one out, but both Chris Davis and Trey Mancini struck out.

They avoided a shutout when Schoop hit a two-run homer to left off Brandon Workman in the eighth. It was his third homer since the All-Star game and 13th of the season. It was Schoop's first non-solo home run of 2018. In the ninth, the O's pulled within two runs on a Renato Núñez double and RBI single by Caleb Joseph, who had two hits.

Boston (71-31) is 15-2 since July 2 and has won 20 of its past 24 games. The Red Sox have won nine in a row at Camden Yards and are 13-1 in their past 14 games against the Orioles. The second game of the three-game series is at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday night.

Postgame quotes:

Schoop on his hot bat: "Finding a good pitch to hit and been putting a good swing on it and don't miss it. It's been great. But regardless of what I'm doing, I'm trying to help the team win so if I've got to get a base hit, I just want to win."

Schoop on taking over Manny Machado's locker in the corner of the clubhouse: "He told them to give me his locker. I'm trying to press through it. It's hard without him but I've got to find a way to compete and help my team win."

Gausman on the three walks in the fifth: "Just kind of lost the feel for my split. That was the biggest thing, especially to a lot of those lefties. But you know, that situation, I had so many opportunities to get a groundball double play. And walked three guys at the bottom of their lineup to get to the top, obviously not what I'm trying to do there. Nothing against those guys, but that is not the top of their lineup. Especially in a lineup like theirs, those are the outs you have to get. As a pitcher, and a pitcher who does really well against lefties, to walk three in a row was really frustrating."

Gausman on staying active during two rain delays: "It really seems like it added about two more innings throwing-wise. But I still felt great. You know, more than anything in that fifth inning, I just lost the feel for my split. Got in some counts where, I got a big strikeout. But after I get a guy like that (Betts) out, I've got to shut the door right there."

Gausman on the first home game minus Machado: "It's a little different. You notice it. But you know, more than anything, just miss him as a person and as a teammate. Happy for him and wish nothing but the best for him, but we've got to kind of turn the page now."

Gausman on whether having his name mentioned in trade talks is a compliment?: "You know, obviously, I don't think teams would be saying that if there wasn't something there to like. So obviously it feels good. But I play for the Orioles right now and trying to help this team win."