But major league home run leader Mark Trumbo snapped out of a two-week homer drought with a three-run shot in the first inning and the Orioles (55-40) cruised to a 5-1 victory before 39,358 at Camden Yards.
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According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Orioles are -106 money line favorites versus the visiting Indians, who have odds of -104 to win in Baltimore tonight. He fell to 7-4 on the season with the loss, while his counterpart, Dylan Bundy improved to 3-2 with a five-hit, five-strikeout effort over five innings of work against Cleveland. The Orioles simply have not scored much when he pitches, posting three runs or fewer in 10 of his 16 starts.
Bundy (3-2) making his first-ever start before the home crowd, struck out five batters and allowed no walks before departing having thrown a career-high 87 pitches. He lost at Tampa Bay on Sunday in his first start, giving up three homers in 3 1/3 innings.
That was the first time the heavy-hitting Orioles have held a five-run lead over an opponent since they defeated the San Diego Padres, 12-6, on June 29 at Petco Park.
He gave up five hits in five innings and struck out five. “That’s the starter’s goal in the game is to give the team a chance to win, and I was able to do that today”.
Bundy (3-2) allowed five hits and an unearned run.
Odrisamer Despaigne pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings, and came within a pitch of his first major league save, but after he walked Almonte, Zach Britton came in to retire Erik Gonzalez for his 31st save.
Baltimore has won two straight after losing four in a row.
Before the game, Showalter was emphatic that Bundy could remain in the rotation for the rest of the season and not pass the innings limit the Orioles set for him at the outset of 2016. Adam Jones then added to the total with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, before Manny Machado led off the third inning with his 20th home run of the season.
“I’ve got to do a better job”, he said. “I think we were on the same page and were able to get in a rhythm, and it worked out well for us”. The UNDER is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings while Baltimore is 9-0 to the low side in its last nine games overall. Started to give me that “I can keep going” look. After right fielder Abraham Almonte’s leadoff double, catcher Caleb Joseph committed a passed ball that moved the runner to third.
Cleveland just could not generate much offense against Bundy or Despaigne.
“We’ve seen him in the bullpen where he’s kind of just trying to throw hard, but he pitched tonight”, Francona said of Bundy.
Orioles: Baltimore placed OF Joey Rickard (thumb) on the DL and recalled OF Dariel Alvarez from Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore has taken six of the last seven meetings. C Matt Wieters (sore foot) did not play for a fourth straight day, but manager Buck Showalter said he’s close to returning….
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Lonnie Chisenhall got scratched from Friday’s starting lineup due to a flu/virus. MLB.com – The Indians are “cautiously optimistic” about the soreness in Michael Brantley’s surgically right shoulder following his latest procedure. Trainer James Quinlan said doctors were happy with what they saw, and Brantley – on the 60-day disabled list since May 14 with shoulder inflammation – could re-start baseball activities next week.
