Some notes and quotes after the Orioles' fourth walk-off win of the year

The Orioles scored just two runs and Zach Britton allowed a home run. That doesn't seem like it would end in a win, but it did for the Orioles last night.

As they somehow try to find consistent offense and wins, they found at least a win last night. In a small victory, they at least gained ground on Minnesota, which was idle. The Orioles are now three games behind the Twins for the second wild card and they are seven games behind the Yankees in the American League East.

Kevin Gausman gave the Orioles a very big outing last night. He pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings on six hits, matching zeroes with Alex Wood. He pitched against Wood in a Southeastern Conference game in college with Gausman at LSU and Wood at Georgia. Both pitchers got no-decisions on April 27, 2012 in a game LSU won 6-5.

Two starts ago, Gausman had his shortest outing ever, giving up eight runs in 3 2/3 innings at Minnesota. He then allowed four runs in six innings at New York. But he was much better last night.

"Really, it was fastball command," Gausman said. "When I pitched in Minnesota, I left too many pitches over the plate. Today, I established my fastball in and also down and away. Some days, you have rough games like that. But that is what veteran guys do really well. Even when they are struggling, they can get you through five, six, seven innings sometimes."

During a three-game win streak, the Orioles have allowed just four runs. Their starting pitchers gave up 14 runs in 14 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium. In the four games since, O's starters have pitched to an ERA of 1.30, allowing four runs in 27 2/3 innings.

The Orioles also picked up something last night that has been rare recently and that is a win in the first game of a series. They were 0-3 in such games in the second half and 1-6 in their last seven series-opening games until Monday's win.

The Orioles picked up just their third win all year when scoring two runs or less. By my count, they are now 3-29 in those games.

Matt Wieters was 2-for-23 his past six games going into last night. Then he went 0-for-2 to start that game. He finished it going single, single, walk-off homer.

That was Wieters' fourth career walk-off homer and the Orioles' third this year. David Lough hit one off Boston's Koji Uehara in the 10th inning on April 25. Jonathan Schoop hit one off Washington's Tanner Roark in the ninth inning on July 10. This was the Orioles' fourth walk-off win of the season.

Before last night's game, Chris Davis was asked about the upcoming trade deadline and whether it can be an uneasy time for a player.

"Sometimes. I think with all the information there is now, it can really weigh on you if you let it," Davis said. "But everyone here is focused on what we have to do on the field. We have too much at stake to worry about guys coming or going."

Davis was also asked if the players check out the standings this time of year and also if they check on potential moves being made by other teams.

"As far as the standings are concerned, you know where you are," he said. "You are just not going to turn a blind eye to that. The moves that other teams make are out of our hands. We have to focus on trying to get a win. It is not productive for us to sit and watch what other teams are doing."

If you missed it from last night, here is what Nick Markakis said about the standing ovation he received in the first inning:

"These fans have been great to me my whole career. Tonight just shows what type of fans they are. Was pretty cool. These people here are great and it's something I'll never forget. Wanted to acknowledge them to show my appreciation."