The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-1 on Sunday and for the second day in a row an Orioles starting pitcher saved the bullpen from overuse.
Kyle Gibson (15-9) allowed 1 run on 5 hits, walked 1, struck out 4 and hit a batter over 7.0 innings; he threw 95 pitches, 59 for strikes in earning the win. Gibson’s quality start allowed Manager Brandon Hyde to use just Danny Coulombe (1.0 IP, 1 K) and DL Hall (1.0 IP, 1 K) out of the bullpen, giving Yennier Cano, Cionel Perez, et. al a day’s rest.
The Orioles scored three runs in the second inning on the heels of five walks. Heston Kjerstad (0 for 1, 1 R, 1 BB), Cedric Mullins (1 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Gunnar Henderson (0 for 4, 1 BB), Adley Rutschman (2 for 3, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 2 BB) and Anthony Santander (0 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 BB) all worked walks off Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie.
Rutschman knocked in a run in the fourth inning and Mullins did the same in the fifth.
It all Ads up! pic.twitter.com/0ErlJi1KzT
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 24, 2023
Aaron Hicks went 1 for 2 with 1 run scored, 1 RBI and 1 walk.
Jorge Mateo went 2 for 4 with a double, 1 run scored and 1 RBI.
Jordan Westburg went 1 for 4 with a double, 1 run scored and 1 RBI.
Westy 🤝 Hesty pic.twitter.com/NJtV2n4vkH
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 24, 2023
2023 Record: 97-59 Magic Number: 3
Next Game: Tues. 9/26 @ 6:35 pm vs. Washington Nationals @ OPACY
Kyle Bradish vs. TBD