The Sports Xchange
Jul 17, 2017
BALTIMORE -- Seth Smith hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning, and the Baltimore Orioles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.
Smith gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead on a solo homer to center fielder off Texas right-hander Andrew Cashner. It was Baltimore's first lead in 33 innings since the All-Star break.
Following the home run, Welington Castillo doubled. Jeremy Jeffress entered for Texas and allowed an RBI single to Ruben Tejada.
Baltimore's Chris Tillman, making his first start since June 30 after spending time on the paternity list due to the birth of his first child, had one of his best outings in a disappointing season.
Tillman allowed just one run and two hits with three strikeouts and four walks over six innings.
He still has not earned a win since May 7.
Richard Bleier (2-1) earned the victory with a scoreless seventh inning. Mychal Givens handled the eighth, and Brad Brach worked out of a jam in the ninth to pick up his 16th save.
Cashner (4-8) made his second start since being struck on the right forearm by a broken bat June 29 against Cleveland. He has not shown any ill-effects from that injury, and he was effective against Baltimore, allowing three runs and six hits with three strikeouts and two walks over 6 2/3 innings.
Texas took a 1-0 lead off Tillman in the second inning on a two-out, RBI by double by Jonathan Lucroy, who was thrown out trying to take third. The Orioles tied the game in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Schoop.
The Orioles (43-49) desperately needed a solid performance after being swept by the Chicago Cubs over the weekend.
Even though the Houston Astros appear to be running away with the American League West, the Rangers (45-47) are very much alive in the wild-card race. They lost for just the third time in eight games.
NOTES: Orioles RHP Stefan Crichton (right shoulder strain) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. ... Texas RHP Keone Kela (right shoulder tightness) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, according to manager Jeff Banister. If there are no setbacks, the Rangers could activate him or send him for another rehab appearance Thursday. ... Baltimore RHP Mike Wright (right shoulder bursitis) allowed four runs and five hits in two-thirds of an inning in a rehab outing in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League.