Tomlin fans 8 but ninth-inning rally falls short

BALTIMORE — The first-place Orioles have spent the past two nights showing off their power against the Indians’ highly touted pitching staff. In a 5-2 win over the Tribe on Saturday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Mark Trumbo became the first Major Leaguer to reach 30 home runs, backing up a stellar performance by right-hander Kevin Gausman.

Orioles closer Zach Britton recorded the final out to notch his American League-leading 32nd save of the season.

Trumbo launched a two-run shot in the first inning off Indians starter Josh Tomlin, giving Gausman an early lead that he used to his advantage. The Orioles’ right-hander spun seven shutout innings, subduing Cleveland’s lineup whenever runners reached base. Gausman struck out seven and scattered four hits in the win.

It marked the second homer in as many nights for Trumbo, who has seven blasts over his past 16 games for Baltimore.

Following Trumbo’s homer, Tomlin quieted Baltimore’s bats for the next five innings, but his effort went for naught in light of the Tribe’s lack of offense. Tomlin, who recorded eight strikeouts and four runs allowed in six-plus frames, flinched again in the seventh against Pedro Alvarez. The designated hitter belted a solo homer into the right-field seats with an exit velocity of 112 mph, per Statcast™.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDStriking first: Trumbo helped Baltimore to a quick lead on Friday night with a three-run homer off Indians starter Trevor Bauer. The Orioles’ slugger followed suit on Saturday, ripping a 1-1 pitch from Tomlin into the left-field stands for a two-run blast. The two-out homer came one …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com