O's game blog: Kevin Gausman takes mound in finale vs. Rangers

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

July 02, 2015, 10:30am

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As he takes the mound tonight against Texas, Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman is probably hoping his July is less challenging than his month of June.

Coming back from right shoulder tendinitis and a stay on the Baltimore disabled list, Gausman pitched with four different teams in June.

Here is a look at his month:

* June 6: Goes three innings for Single-A Frederick
* June 11: Goes 3 1/3 innings for Double-A Bowie
* June 16: Goes two innings for Frederick
* June 20: Works five innings for the Orioles, allowing two runs at Toronto
* June 26: Scratched from a start at Triple-A Norfolk, in case he's needed for a doubleheader in Baltimore
* June 28: Not called to Baltimore for that doubleheader, instead pitching a short outing with Norfolk, going three innings so he can start tonight for the Orioles

Gausman, who is 1-0 with a 4.24 ERA in nine games this year with the Orioles, will be pitching on three days' rest tonight. In 17 big league innings in 2015, he has allowed 15 hits, including two homers, with six walks and 14 strikeouts.

His mound opponent is right-hander Yovani Gallardo (7-6, 2.72 ERA). Gallardo ranks sixth in the American League in ERA, seventh in groundball percentage (53.7) and 10th in opponent average (.229).

He is a pitcher on a roll right now. He takes a scoreless streak of 23 1/3 innings into tonight's start. In seven starts since May 24, Gallardo is 4-0 with an ERA of 0.99.

He has a road scoreless streak of 16 1/3 innings and has not allowed a homer in 45 1/3 innings. If those aren't enough impressive stats, he is 6-0 with an 0.88 ERA this year after a Rangers loss. He is pitching tonight after Texas lost 4-2 last night.

The Orioles began today alone at the top of the American League East at 42-36. They lead New York by a 1/2 game and are one game ahead of Toronto and Tampa Bay.

The Orioles have won eight of 11, 17 of 23 and 19 of their last 26 games. They are 4-2 on a seven-game homestand that ends tonight and 11-3 in their past 14 home games.