Orioles’ Hyde on rally in 9th against Blue Jays: ‘Too little, too late’

What happened? Former Oriole Kevin Gausman allowed two runs on three hits in eight innings and the Toronto Blue Jays withstood a four-run ninth to defeat the Orioles, 7-6, on Thursday night at the Rogers Centre.

Gausman (10-8) walked three and struck out two.

The Orioles trailed, 7-2, entering the ninth, but they scored four runs and had the tying run on base when Anthony Santander hit a fly ball to center for the final out. Chad Green got the save for Toronto.

“We had the tying run on base there in the ninth inning after not doing much offensively for a while,” manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Toronto. “Give our guys credit for that, but disappointing loss.”

Cowser had four RBIs, a two-run home run against Gausman, his 17^th in the third inning, and a two-run single in the ninth. Cedric Mullins had an RBI double and Jackson Holliday drove in a run on an infield out in the ninth.

“It felt like we were hitting a lot of balls hard today, just missing them,” Cowser told reporters in Toronto. “Bats came alive there in the ninth. Hopefully, we can carry that momentum into this weekend [against Tampa Bay].”

Zach Pop did not retire a batter in the ninth and was charged with three runs. Green allowed a run and recorded his 10^th save.

“I thought we swung the bat well early,” Hyde said. “He [Gausman] fell into a really good rhythm after that. He had a really good split going. He’s been around for a while. We didn’t do a whole lot after that homer.”

Gausman had one of his strongest starts of the season.

“I think he was locating his fastball really well,” Cowser said. “Getting ahead of guys. His splitter is really good, and he was keeping it down. He was working it to both sides of the plate. When he’s doing that, he’s having a lot of success. You saw that tonight.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in four runs with a first-inning double, a two-run home run in the fifth, and a sixth-inning triple. Guerrero hit .467 against the Orioles this season with five home runs and 14 RBIs.

“Missing fastballs in the middle of the plate to a guy that’s red hot,” Hyde said.

Oriole starter Dean Kremer (4-6) allowed five runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings. He tied a career high with five walks and struck out six. He committed a balk in the first inning that scored Daulton Varsho in a three-run first inning.

“I threw a lot of noncompetitive pitches in general today,” Kremer told reporters in Toronto. “Too many.”

“It’s tough to win when you’re walking guys in front of Guerrero,” Hyde said.

The Orioles (68-48) remain tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East. The Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Angels. 9-4.

“Great job of rallying there in the ninth,” Hyde said. “Too little, too late. We’ve got to give up less runs than we’re giving up.’

What’s the word?  “We haven’t been playing our best baseball. We’re still in the fight for the division. I think that’s really all you can ask for.”-Cowser on the Orioles’ outlook on competing with the Yankees for the AL East title.

What does it mean? With starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez out with right lat/teres discomfort, Kremer moves up in the rotation. He’ll have to pitch better

“Like we’ve done the last three years, somebody goes down, somebody’s got to pick them up and usually the guy that picks them up does a good job,” Kremer said. “I don’t think the other starters feel any added pressure.”

What’s the stat of the day? 5. Kremer has lost five straight decisions and hasn’t won in his last six starts. He hasn’t won since July 3rd.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? In his first start for Triple-A Norfolk, Cole Irvin allowed a run on two hits in four innings as the Tides took the first game of a doubleheader, 2-1, over Durham. Bruce Zimmermann (3-4) allowed a hit in two scoreless innings.

Brandon Young (3-3) allowed two runs on six hits in six innings in Norfolk’s 2-1 loss to Durham in the second game.

Double-A Bowie’s game with Harrisburg, High-A Aberdeen’s game with Hickory and Single-A Delmarva’s game with Salem were all rained out.

What’s next?  The Orioles will begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Friday. Zach Eflin (7-7, 4.05), who was traded to the Orioles from the Rays two weeks ago, will start against Zack Littell (5-7, 4.06). Game time is 6:50 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com