Wrapping up a 13-9 win

The Orioles scored a season-high 13 runs tonight without hitting a home run. They won despite their starter lasting only 2 2/3 innings. They played nine innings in 3 hours, 58 minutes.

Otherwise, it was a fairly routine night at Camden Yards, where the Orioles defeated the Red Sox 13-9 to move within two games of first place.

Being able to maintain focus was as challenging as facing the Red Sox lineup.

trumbo-wieters-high-five-white-sidebar.jpg"It's actually quite amazing that the concentration level is what it is," said manager Buck Showalter. "I'm proud of the pace our guys work at, but obviously we had some trouble getting them out and so did they. Our guys just refused to be outscored tonight."

Mike Wright was charged with six runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings, leaving his ERA at 5.88 in 49 innings.

"We've got five or six pitchers with less than a year's experience in the big leagues," Showalter said. "They're trying to find their way. But tonight you do reach a point where we have to pitch better because you've got to learn from things and show that you're getting better. Right now, it's one step forward and two steps back. But he's not the only one."

Showalter referenced Red Sox starter Joe Kelly, who allowed seven runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings, and was optioned after the game.

"You look at good pitchers," Showalter said. "I think they've got two or three guys with ERAs between 5 and 6 who have been starting for them. Now, they've just been outscoring them to overcome it and we all know that David Price is going to pitch better as the year goes on. It's kind of where it is right now. They've been able to overcome their challenges with some of their guys by just outscoring people and we did that tonight."

Despite being outhomered 5-0.

"I like the fact we scored a lot of runs without it," Showalter said. "There were only a couple errors made in the game. That's what was unusual. I looked out there and there weren't any errors in the first six innings, it seemed like. It was like playing a full game in the first three innings. I'm sure Natty Boh was happy tonight.

"I'm sorry, are we serving Natty Boh? All right, take that back."

(Awkward silence)

Vance Worley let an inherited runner score and two of his own over 2 2/3 innings. He walked three of the first four batters he faced after replacing Wright. Brad Brach earned the win, improving to 5-0 with a 0.94 ERA in 28 2/3 innings. He allowed a hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Darren O'Day retired two batters but also served up a leadoff home run to Chris Young in the eighth. Young homered twice tonight. O'Day, meanwhile, has allowed five home runs to match his total from 2015.

Zach Britton recorded the four-out save to make him 15-for-15.

"I don't care how good a pitcher you are - your track record - it's one of those nights you feel like you're just trying to get every out you can," Showalter said. "They're all so precious. Two good offensive teams. You look at some of the track records of pitchers tonight who gave up runs. Zach got a big out. A bunch of big outs. Darren got a couple.

"When the game's over you kind of look around and go, 'Is it over?' I know you all did. You can admit it."

Indeed.

Wright is still struggling with his command.

"He's trying to go two balls off the plate and throws it right down the middle," Showalter said. "It's just been a challenge for him. Command. You can't get baseballs there against guys who are swinging the bats as well as them and expect to have success. He knows that."

Both benches were warned after Wright threw a pitch with Mookie Betts at the plate that sailed over catcher Matt Wieters and plate umpire Doug Eddings, who's having a rough series. Betts hit five home runs in seven at-bats.

"I know what it looks like and I know it's with a guy who's swinging real well against us," Showalter said. "It was up than it was in. The next inning, their guy threw a pitch in about the same place to (Mark) Trumbo that didn't seem to bring all the drama. I understand what it looks like. That's why I didn't argue a lot. If you look at things realistically, there are two pitches there basically the same, but one guy hadn't hit 150 home runs against us in two days."

Said Wright: "I'm trying to go in there. but I'd never throw at a guy's face. That was way too high. I didn't think a warning was necessary, but when a guy's that hot, hit four, five home runs in two days, it has to come."

Hyun Soo Kim went 3-for-5 with a double, walk and two runs scored to raise his average to .382 with a .469 on-base percentage. He's hit safely in 12 of his 19 games this season.

"He's kind of past making the most of opportunities. He's getting a lot of opportunities. He's taking advantage of them," Showalter said.

"I'm happy for him because he's been good through everything and has a lot of respect for what's going on here. I asked him before he got up if he ever had four hits in a game and he said, 'Tonight.' He didn't quite get it. He had some big hits in the middle of rallies, but who didn't?"

Dustin Pedroia had a big error at second base, letting Matt Wieters' bouncer go through him in the sixth inning as Chris Davis scored.

"That's when you know it's 'Twilight Zone' night," Showalter said. "That's not going to happen. We were fortunate. Actually, when it happened I said, 'We might have a shot tonight.' That's just something that doesn't happen. He's one of the best second basemen you'll ever see. It makes everybody feel human."

This is the fourth time that the Orioles won despite allowing at least five home runs. It happened most recently on April 7, 2000 versus the Tigers.

The Orioles drew a season-high nine walks, including four by Chris Davis, who matched his career high.

Ryan Flaherty has matched his career high by collecting an RBI in three straight games.

Pedro Alvarez had his second three-hit game as an Oriole, the other on April 30 versus the White Sox.




Wieters on the win, Wright on his outing and more
Slugfest at the Yard: O's go homerless, but score ...
 

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