What happened? Albert Suárez threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings for the second straight start, James McCann and Colton Cowser homered as the Orioles won their third straight game, 4-2, over the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium on Monday night.
Suárez (1-0) won his first major league game since June 23rd, 2016. He allowed four hits, walked two and struck out five. He threw 89 pitches.
In his first start, the Orioles won, 4-2.
Once Suárez left the game, Mike Baumann struck out Mickey Moniak to end the sixth. Jo Adell homered to start the seventh and Nolan Schanuel had an RBI single before Yennier Cano ended the seventh on a Mike Trout groundout.
Cano got the first two outs of the eighth and Jacob Webb got the third out.
Closer Craig Kimbrel loaded the bases in the ninth, and struck out Trout looking to end the game, recording his sixth save of the season and his 423rd career save, passing Billy Wagner for seventh place on the all-time list.
With his next save, Kimbrel will tie John Franco for sixth place with 424.
McCann homered in the second, his first of the season. Adley Rutschman’s RBI single in the third and his run-scoring double in the fifth gave the Orioles (15-7) a 3-0 lead. Cowser homered against Reid Detmers (3-1) in the sixth, his sixth home run of the season.
What’s happening with Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle? Hays went on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday, with a strained left calf muscle. He injured the calf on Saturday night in Kansas City, and manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Anaheim, California that he thought Hays’ injury wasn’t serious.
Hays was replaced on the roster by catcher David Bañuelos, who was with the team as its taxi squad catcher. According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, outfielder Heston Kjerstad will be activated on Tuesday.
Mountcastle’s sore knee prevented him from playing, and Ramón Urías replaced him at first base as Hyde loaded up his lineup with right-handed hitters against the left-handed Detmers.
What was the key play? There was some skepticism about signing Kimbrel to replace Félix Bautista, who had Tommy John surgery. But his performance is proving the 35-year-old’s value. Kimbrel’s strikeout of Trout, another future Hall of Famer, was huge.
What does it mean? With the win, the Orioles took over first place in the American League East. They passed the New York Yankees, who lost to the Oakland Athletics, 2-0. The Orioles’ lead is a half-game.
Stat of the day I: The Orioles had four stolen bases. Jorge Mateo stole two while Jordan Westburg and Cedric Mullins each stole one. They have 19 steals in 20 attempts, a 95 percent steal rate
Stat of the day II: The Orioles lead the major leagues with 35 home runs and they’re on pace to hit 258 homers this season.
Stat of the day III: The Orioles have guaranteed they won’t be swept in their 99th consecutive regular-season series, fourth longest streak in baseball history.
What’s next? The Orioles will try for their second four-game winning streak of the season on Tuesday night at 9:38. when Grayson Rodriguez (3-0, 2.63) will face Los Angeles’ Griffin Canning (0-3, 8.05).
Call for questions: I’ll be answering at least one question every weekday. Send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com