O's game blog: Gausman on the mound in Fenway finale

The Orioles can win another American League East series today if they take the finale of the three-game series at Boston. The Orioles are 7-3-2 in 12 series in the division so far this year, for a record of 23-17, a .575 winning percentage. The Orioles had gone unbeaten in eight straight AL East series, winning six and tying two, until they recently lost three of four to Tampa Bay. On the mound this afternoon, Kevin Gausman (3-2, 3.86 ERA) faces Jake Peavy (1-7, 4.82 ERA). Gausman went 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA over a three-start stretch until he gave up five runs in five innings in his last start against Tampa Bay on June 27. Once again, he is returning from the minors to pitch this game. Is he finally here to stay this time? Peavy is winless in his last 12 starts since he beat Toronto on April 25 for his only win of 2014. In June, Peavy went 0-5 with a 5.40 ERA. The Red Sox have scored two runs or less in 13 of his 17 starts. The Orioles scored two runs on five hits yesterday afternoon and then last night scored seven runs on 16 hits. Over their last seven games, the Orioles have scored 42 runs on 72 hits with a team average of .294 along with 15 doubles and 13 homers. Nelson Cruz had more hits last night - going 5-for-5 - than he had the previous nine games combined when he went 4-for-34. Adam Jones extended his hitting streak to nine games Saturday night. During the streak he is batting .469 (15-for-32) with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs. In 33 games since June 1, Jones is batting .354 with seven doubles, 10 homers and 24 RBIs. Chris Davis, who is not starting today, is just 2-for-34 with 15 strikeouts over his last 10 games. Davis has fanned in eight of 12 at-bats over his last three games as his average has dropped to .201. Happy birthday to Manny Machado, who turns 22 today.