Orioles Finally Score, Still Lose To White Sox 3-2
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Baltimore Orioles ended their lengthy scoreless streak. What could have been their biggest hit was stolen in the ninth inning.
Avisail Garcia robbed Chris Davis of a tying home run with a leaping catch in the ninth, and the Chicago White Sox held off the Orioles 3-2 on Saturday.
The Orioles thought the fly ball had a chance to leave the park.
"Right off the bat, you see the ball go up, and we thought it was gone," third baseman Manny Machado said. "But he went out there and made a hell of a play."
J.B. Shuck put Chicago in front with a pinch-hit double in the eighth. Gordon Beckham scored the go-ahead run after he walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt against Bud Norris (2-8), who was just demoted to the bullpen. Shuck doubled to right field off Darren O'Day.
David Robertson earned his 18th save in 22 opportunities -- with a huge assist from Garcia. The right fielder jumped and reached behind him and over the wall to take a home run away from Davis with one out in the ninth.
"I was playing no doubles because they have a power hitter," Garcia said. "I was playing close to the fence, so I had a chance to get it. So I got it."
Machado hit a two-run homer for the Orioles to tie it at 2 in the eighth. Machado connected against Zach Putnam (2-3), who replaced Jeff Samardzija after he walked the previous batter.
The home run ended Baltimore's scoreless streak at 26 2-3 innings.
"They've got a good staff over there, and they're doing what they've got to do," Machado said. "So, we've got to clean our stuff up and go out there tomorrow and start swinging."
Samardzija struck out nine and allowed a run and three hits in 7 2-3 innings. Ryan Flaherty singled with two outs in the sixth for the Orioles' first hit. He hit the ball up the middle on Samardzija's first pitch.
"He was just on. He was throwing all his pitches for strikes and throwing it well," Machado said.
Jose Abreu scored two runs and had a double and triple for the last-place White Sox, who have won eight of 12 after losing eight straight. The Orioles have lost five of six.
Garcia's RBI single put the White Sox ahead in the first inning. Abreu led off the fifth with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly.
Machado drew a leadoff walk in the first for the Orioles' lone baserunner through the first five innings.
"If we keep getting outings like Samardzija and (John) Danks, (runs will) be at a premium again," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It is as much them as it is us."
Baltimore starter Chris Tillman allowed two runs and 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings.
"It was a grind," Tillman said. "They spoiled a lot of good pitches. I felt for the most part I had command of most of my stuff."
PITCHING PLANS
Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (1-0, 3.09 ERA) will remain in the rotation and start Tuesday against Minnesota. Norris was moved from the rotation to the bullpen. Gausman struck out seven in 6 1-3 scoreless innings against Texas on Thursday after he was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. "We're trying to run our best five starters out there right now, and I think Kevin is one of them," Showalter said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: 2B Flaherty was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Saturday's game. 2B Jonathan Schoop (right knee) rejoined the team Saturday and is expected be activated from the 60-day DL to start Sunday against the White Sox.
UP NEXT
Orioles RHP Miguel Gonzalez (6-5, 4.04 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday in the series finale against LHP Carlos Rodon (3-1, 4.07).
(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
