Too many walks and not enough runs for Orioles in 6-2 loss

SAN FRANCISCO - When a pitcher sets his career high in walks before recording an out in the third inning, he's in clear danger of exhausting himself from chasing the plate.

Kevin Gausman tried to corner it, tried to trap it in one spot, but it kept getting away from him.

The Giants drew four walks in the first two innings and Gausman paid the price in the second, with Denard Span lining a two-out, two-run single into center field to prevent the Orioles from taking another early lead. Buster Posey led off the third with a walk, giving Gausman a career-high five while the bullpen remained quiet.

Don't embarrass yourself in front of Buster Posey.

A sixth walk was coming, but on the B side of Gausman's start were nine strikeouts in four innings. He struck out the side in the second and third. He also seemed to have issues with plate umpire Brian O'Nora.

He had lots of free time after the fourth inning, crafting a most unusual line in the Orioles' 6-2 loss to the Giants at AT&T Park that again lowered them into second place in the American League East.

Ryan Flaherty, pinch-hitting with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, made sure the Orioles avoided their sixth shutout with a two-run single off Javier Lopez.

Gausman allowed two runs and two hits in four innings, with six walks and nine strikeouts that tied his season high. He threw 97 pitches, only 45 for strikes.

Don't try this at home. Or on the road.

The Giants pulled away with two runs off Vance Worley in the sixth and Brandon Belt's two-run homer off Ubaldo Jimenez in the seventh.

Gausman threw 57 pitches in two innings, including 34 in the second. Span's two-run single was set up by Hunter Pence's leadoff walk and Joe Panik's ground-rule double with one out, the ball eluding left fielder Nolan Reimold and hopping the fence.

It's never wise to stake Madison Bumgarner to an early lead.

Bumgarner walked Chris Davis with two outs in the second and Caleb Joseph followed with a soft single into left-center field, but Reimold grounded out. J.J. Hardy doubled into the left field corner with two outs in the third, but Manny Machado popped up in foul territory and slammed his helmet to the ground. The Orioles loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth and Davis struck out on three pitches, the last freezing him.

So much happened in the sixth.

Jones was hit on the right hand while squaring to bunt and appeared to be in tremendous pain. He stayed in the game, but was called out 1-3 while manager Buck Showalter argued that the ball hit Jones' leg after deflecting off the hand, which becomes part of the bat in this instance.

Hardy walked and Machado doubled to put runners on second and third with one out. Mark Trumbo fouled out and Jonathan Schoop walked after falling behind 0-2, but Davis couldn't extend the inning.

Bumgarner allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings, with three walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 101 pitches, 61 for strikes.

The Giants expanded their lead to 4-0 against Worley in the bottom of the sixth on another two-out, two-run single by Span. Jimenez walked Angel Pagan to start off the seventh and Belt cleared the wall in right field.

Jimenez walked Posey, the ninth issued by the Orioles, before retiring the next three batters.

Gausman walked Panik to open the fourth inning, increasing his total to six. He retired the next three batters, two via strikeout, and was done.

The only sense of normalcy for Gausman came from the standard lack of run support.

The Orioles (65-51) are 4-5 on a road trip that concludes Sunday afternoon.