The Sports Xchange
Jun 22, 2017
BALTIMORE -- Austin Jackson had three hits with three RBIs, Erik Gonzalez homered and the Cleveland Indians took three of four games against the Baltimore Orioles with a 6-3 victory Thursday night.
Cleveland has won eight of its past nine games and outscored Baltimore 28-10 in the series. The Orioles have allowed at least five runs in 19 consecutive games -- one shy of the major league record set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies.
Cleveland's Mike Clevinger (3-3) got his first victory in five starts. He allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks over five innings.
The Indians' Jose Ramirez went 1-for-4, ending his consecutive multi-hit game streak. He was the first Cleveland player since 1936 with two or more hits for nine consecutive days.
Gonzalez had a solo home run in the sixth that boosted the Indians' margin to 5-2. Edwin Encarnacion had an RBI single in the ninth. Manny Machado pulled the Orioles to within 5-3 with an RBI double in the ninth off Andrew Miller, who was one of five Cleveland relievers used in the game.
Seth Smith hit his eighth home run for Baltimore.
Orioles left-hander Wade Miley (3-5) labored through another start, allowing four runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts over just five-plus innings and 111 pitches. Miley has given up 19 earned runs in his past four starts (15 2/3 innings).
Baltimore lost for the 11th time in 15 games.
Smith hit his fourth leadoff home run of the season when he hammered an 89 mph changeup by Clevinger into the left-field bleachers. The Indians took a 2-1 lead in the second on an RBI triple by Jackson and a single by Yan Gomes.
Clevinger then hit two batters that helped load the bases in the bottom half of the inning. After getting Smith to hit into a 1-2-3 double play, Clevinger walked Machado and Jonathan Schoop to tie the score.
Jackson gave the Indians another spark in the third with a two-out, two-run single for a 4-2 lead.
NOTES: Orioles manager Buck Showalter flew to Texas for the birth of his first grandson and will return for this weekend's series against the Rays. Bench coach John Russell managed the team in Showalter's absence. ... Indians RHP Cody Allen missed the past two games because his wife was giving birth in Cleveland. Allen could be back Friday when the team returns home. ... Orioles LHP Zach Britton (forearm strain) threw another scoreless inning in his second rehab assignment, allowing one hit with two strikeouts on 16 pitches for Class A Delmarva.