The Baltimore Orioles are starting to fade in the AL East division race after losing to the New York Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday night. It was the team’s second consecutive one-run loss to its division rival, and now the Orioles have dropped 11 of the last 15 games. Baltimore currently stands at 46-47 and trails New York by six games in the AL East. Kevin Gausman rebounded after a rough first inning, but the Orioles were unable to collect the clutch hits to complete the comeback.

Gausman was the story heading into tonight’s game, as he made his fourth start of the season. The 24-year-old appeared nervous in the first inning after allowing three runs, which was highlighted by a two-run homer by Mark Teixeira. But Gausman remained composed and retired the next six batters, showing why he was the fourth overall pick in 2012. He made mistakes to two veterans hitters, Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, which ultimately cost him. Nevertheless, Gausman showed promise by pitching six innings, allowing four runs with four strikeouts.

It’s time for the Orioles to let Gausman loose. One of the biggest impediments for his growth is the seesaw of being promoted to the big leagues and demoted to the minors constantly. In his short, three-year career, Gausman has gone back and forth between the majors and minors 22 times. He’s been unable to establish a consistent routine that would allow him to get comfortable and tap into his potential in the big leagues. Now that he’s been given the opportunity to emerge as the Orioles’ fifth starter, he could provide the rotation with a major boost down the stretch.

Gausman went 7-7 as a starter for Baltimore in 2014, accumulating a 3.57 ERA and striking out 88 batters in 113 innings (8.3 K/9). He only grew stronger as the season wore on and showed plenty of promise for the future. Gausman moved to the bullpen during the playoffs and pitched brilliantly, tossing eight innings and striking out seven with a 1.13 ERA in three appearances. If the Orioles continue to give him consistent opportunities to start, Gausman will only get better as he matures as a pitcher.

Baltimore needs to do a better job of nurturing one of its most talented young pitchers. Though rumors have surfaced that the Orioles would be open to trading Gausman, that would be a foolish decision. Baltimore regrets trading Jake Arrieta in 2013 and Eduardo Rodriguez last season, so the team should be wary of repeating its mistakes. The best course of action for the Orioles and Gausman is to throw him out on the mound every fifth day and allow him to blossom into the ace pitcher he’s capable of becoming.

Ben Linton is a MLB writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @Ben_Linton91, or add him to your network on Google.