Rangers Score 2 In 9th To Beat Orioles 2-0
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Leonys Martin ended a scoreless duel with an RBI single in the ninth inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 Thursday night behind a dominant pitching performance by Yovani Gallardo and three relievers.
After Shin-Soo Choo led off the ninth with a walk from Chaz Roe (2-1) and moved up on a bunt, Martin ended a 4-for-34 slump with a single to center. Martin came home on a single by Rougned Odor.
Gallardo gave up two hits and three walks over six innings to extend his run of shutout innings to 29 1-3 -- the longest streak in the majors this year and fourth-longest in franchise history.
Keone Kela (5-5) got two outs and Shawn Tolleson worked a perfect ninth to complete the three-hitter and earn his 12th save.
After hitting 10 home runs in the first three games of the series, Texas failed to go deep against Kevin Gausman and four relievers.
Playing in his second game since being sidelined for nearly a month with a strained left hamstring, Josh Hamilton went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts and hit a two-out flyball with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.
Both starting pitchers were exceptionally sharp in keeping the game scoreless.
Gallardo has not allowed a home run in 51 1-3 innings, dating back to May 24. In nine starts following a Texas loss, the right-hander is 6-0 with a 0.79 ERA.
Gausman allowed four hits, walked two and struck out seven in 6 1-3 innings. He was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk for his second start of the season.
The Orioles missed two early chances to take the lead. In the first inning, Chris Davis lined into a double play with runners at the corners. In the third, Davis struck out with the bases loaded.
Texas got only one runner past first base until Odor led off the sixth with a liner over the head of center fielder Adam Jones. Vying for a triple, Odor was thrown out on a relay from Jones to shortstop J.J. Hardy to Manny Machado.
ROSTER MOVES
Rangers: Activated RHP Neftali Felize from the 15-day disabled list and optioned starter Nick Martinez to Triple-A Round Rock.
Orioles: Optioned RHP Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk and recalled Gausman.
TRAINING ROOM
Rangers: LHP Matt Harrison (spine surgery) will be activated from the 60-day DL on Friday, according to general manager Jon Daniels. Harrison is expected to make his season debut Tuesday against Arizona, manager Jeff Banister said.
Orioles: 2B Jonathan Schoop (sprained right knee) was scheduled to continue his rehab assignment with Class A Frederick.
ON DECK
Rangers: Hamilton faces his former team when Texas resumes division play at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Hamilton played two seasons with LA before being traded back to the Rangers on April 27. "It'll be good to see some of the guys," Hamilton said, "and that's it."
Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez (7-3, 3.09) seeks to win his career-high fifth start in a row in the opener of a three-game series against the host Chicago White Sox, who will start John Danks (3-8).
(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
