O's game blog: Kevin Gausman faces Tigers in series finale

The Orioles and Detroit Tigers have split the first two games of a three-game series that concludes this afternoon at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 6-0 Friday night behind Chris Tillman. The Tigers won 9-5 last night as Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in five runs.

The Orioles fell to 7-20 with last night's loss. They are 4-10 at home and 2-6 on this homestand that ends today. The Orioles have lost six of seven, 12 of 14 and 14 of 17 games.

Orioles pitchers have allowed 26 runs the last four games and 59 over the past 10. The offense is starting to produce more runs, but more clutch hits are needed. The Orioles went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position Saturday night. They are 8-for-45 (.178) with RISP over the last eight games.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.66 ERA) today makes his sixth start of the season. In his last outing on Monday versus Cleveland he took a 2-1 loss. Over eight very solid innings, Gausman allowed four hits and two runs with one walk and seven strikeouts.

Gausman pitched to an ERA of 8.00 over his first two starts but has recorded three straight quality starts over his past three. He is 1-1 with an ERA of 3.15 in those games, allowing 19 hits and seven runs over 20 innings with four walks and 18 strikeouts. The Orioles are 2-3 in Gausman's 2018 starts.

Left-handed batters are hitting .259 off him and right-handers are batting .270. Gausman has allowed a batting average against with runners in scoring position of .286. He has an ERA of 10.80 in the first innings of his starts but an ERA of 3.15 in innings two through five.

Gausman faced the Tigers in Detroit on April 18, but did not get a decision. Over six innings he allowed nine hits and two runs. In seven career starts, he is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.244 WHIP against the Tigers.

Lefty Daniel Norris (0-1, 4.91 ERA) will get the start for the Tigers. He has made four appearances and one start for Detroit. Over 13 innings he has permitted 13 hits and seven runs with seven walks and 16 strikeouts. Opponents are batting .245.

Norris' one start this year came against Kansas City April 20 and he went 4 2/3 allowing three hits and one run on 85 pitches.

He has not faced the Orioles this season. In three career games and start he is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA versus Baltimore. Over 9 1/3 he has allowed two runs with three walks and five strikeouts.