Kevin Gausman on his outing, the rotation (plus other clubhouse quotes)

For a team and a fanbase waiting for good starting pitching, two Orioles first-round draft picks have delivered the last two nights. The Cleveland Indians came to Baltimore with the best record in the American League, but have lost back-to-back games, scoring three combined runs.

Dylan Bundy allowed one unearned run over five innings last night and right-hander Kevin Gausman tonight pitched seven scoreless innings on four hits in the Orioles' 5-2 win. Cleveland didn't score until there were two outs in the ninth on Lonnie Chisenhall's two-run double.

Gausman said when they were Double-A together, he and Bundy talked about one day coming through for the Orioles in the same rotation.

"We talked about this when we played in Bowie," Gausman said "It has kind of been a long trek for him and we're happy where he is right now. He works his butt off and has a great worth ethic. He's one of the first guys here each day. He is a class act and is doing it the right way."

As for Gausman, he threw a career-high 116 pitches in the heat at Camden Yards, allowing three walks with seven strikeouts to improve to 2-7 with an ERA of 3.77. Gausman is 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA in seven home outings.

He got in and out of trouble in the top of the first, and that seemed to set the tone for a big outing tonight.

"Definitely," Gausman said. "Anytime you get guys on right away, you kind of put yourself in a hole. But I was able to make some good off-speed pitches and get out of it. Then the guys came in hot and gave me three in the first. That was good."

The Orioles starting rotation has taken plenty of criticism this season, but has pitched to an ERA of 2.94 over the last 11 games.

"Me and Bundy, we both want to pitch well," Gausman said. "I think we have the parts here to have a great starting staff. Obviously, if we acquire somebody, it's not like we're going to be mad, but I think we're all capable of doing it if we can kind of piece it together."

More clubhouse quotes:

Zach Britton on appearing in four straight games, yet throwing just 20 combined pitches: "Sometimes (a short outing) is a little tougher, I guess. You are sitting down there anticipating what is going to happen. But you have two outs, so it's just make some pitches and hopefully get an out right away. With runners on base, you hope to just pick the guy up in front of you. So sometimes, maybe a little more stressful that a clean inning even though there are two outs. Trying to save the run for those guys."

Britton on falling after the game's final pitch: "Yeah, just had a cramp. It looks like I slipped and kind of got a cramp. I mean, it's hot sitting down there all day. Need to stay hydrated. If there is opportunity tomorrow, physically I feel fine. Just a cramp and have to stay hydrated. I don't know how those guys are playing nine innings in that weather, but I need to do a better job staying hydrated."

Pedro Alvarez on a good start to the series: "Anytime we can get wins, it's huge, no matter who the opponent is. Obviously, that is a very good team over there and they make you play the best baseball you can play."

Alvarez on the O's hitting long homers, including his blast tonight estimated at 449 feet: "We try to square up the ball and hit the ball as hard as we can. Once the ball makes contact with the bat, you have no control of that. But anytime you can flush a ball well like that, it feels good and is a boost to the morale. You know, it is what keeps you going and gives you that confidence."