BALTIMORE—Cade Povich’s second start with the Orioles, his first at home, was an unqualified success and though he didn’t record his first major league win, the Orioles’ winning streak is a season-long six after a 4-2 win over the reeling Atlanta Braves before 24,122 at Camden Yards on Wednesday night.
Colton Cowser broke a 2-2 tie with his eighth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth against Joe Jiménez (1-2).
Ryan Mountcastle singled with one out, and Cowser, who was a defensive replacement for Ryan O’Hearn in right, hit the first pitch from Jiménez for the homer.
Povich, who allowed six runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings in his first start last Thursday in Toronto, gave up five hits in six scoreless innings, striking out six without walking a batter.
Through seven innings, he was on track to record first major league win and to best Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach a former teammate at the University of Nebraska.
Atlanta (35-30) has lost five straight. The Braves had multiple runners on base in the fourth, when Marcell Ozuna reached third, and the sixth, when Matt Olson made it to second.
The Orioles (45-22) used their speed to score two runs in the second. Cedric Mullins led off with a double and moved to third on Jorge Mateo’s single. Mateo stole second after his hit to put runners on second and third. Mullins scored when Gunnar Henderson bounced out to first. Mateo scored on a grounder to first baseman Matt Olson, who hurried his throw because of Mateo’s speed and threw wildly.
Dillon Tate replaced Povich in the sixth and recorded two outs. Mateo booted Jared Kelenic’s grounder. Kelenic stole second, and with two outs, Keegan Akin retired Michael Harris II on a fly to center.
Ozzie Albies singled to begin the eighth against Akin, and after Marcell Ozuna struck out, Olson hit a long home run to right field against Akin (2-0), tying the score, 2-2.
Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save.