Joy R. Absalon – USA Today Sports Images
The Baltimore Orioles knew that performing well in their four-game series with the Boston Red Sox would bode well for them as it would close the gap between them and the division leaders. After pulling out an extra-innings win on Thursday night, the Orioles answered with a dominant 2-0 win on Friday night, pulling them within 1.5 games of the Red Sox.
Chris Davis continued his power-hitting tear, launching a dinger in the second inning. The O’s also scored in the third with an infield single from Adam Jones, playing a little small-ball. However, it was their pitching that made the biggest difference, silencing the bats of the Red Sox as they held them to just three total hits on the innings.
Chris Tillman continued to look like the best starter in Baltimore’s rotation as he allowed just three hits, four walks and, obviously, no runs in six innings. This was Tillman’s third straight victory, giving him a combined 19 innings pitched over his last three starts. He’s allowed just three earned runs, 11 hits and seven walks over those starts as well. Tillman now has a solid 3.61 ERA and 1.28 WHIP to go along with a 7-2 record.
Young hurler Kevin Gausman looked solid on Thursday night, even though he didn’t get the victory. After getting knocked around in three of his first four starts, he allowed just two runs on two solo home runs while allowing just six hits and no walks in 5.1 innings against the Red Sox.
It seems like the young rotation of the Orioles is starting to round into form as of late, which could pay huge dividends for them. One of things that made them a surprise team last season was their solid pitching, but that hasn’t exactly been there this season. If they can get back to the form of last season, that’s going to make the race in the American League East a tight and entertaining one to watch as we get deeper into the season.
Cody Williams is a Blogger with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google+ and like his Facebook page.
