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Britton shines as O's down White Sox

Aug 31, 2012 - 2:46 AM Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Since coming to the big leagues, Zach Britton has struggled with his control.

On Thursday, Britton flashed some of his potential, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 5-3 win against the Chicago White Sox.

Britton (4-1) gave up one run on seven hits in a season-high eight innings. He struck out a career-high 10 without a walk.

"He just had it all going," White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said. "In, out, hard, soft, pretty much had everything going. I would imagine he would say the same. You just tip your hat to that and move on. He threw the ball great."

"It says a lot about this ballclub," Orioles catcher Taylor Teagarden said. "You have these young starters throwing the ball real well."

Adam Jones set a new career high with his 26th home run of the season, as the Orioles won for the fifth time in their last six games. They pulled within three games of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East with a three-game set looming in the Bronx this weekend.

Rookie Jose Quintana (5-3) continued going in the wrong direction for the White Sox. He surrendered five runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Quintana, who had a 2.04 earned run average in eight starts before the All-Star break, has a 4.33 ERA in nine starts in the second half.

Alexei Ramirez picked up three hits and drove in a pair of runs for the White Sox, who lost three of four against the Orioles.

The White Sox jumped in front in the second inning. Alex Rios picked up a leadoff single. After A.J. Pierzynski grounded into a fielder's choice, Dayan Viciedo singled. Pierzynski was thrown out at the plate following Ramirez's base hit, but Gordon Beckham plated Viciedo with a two-out base hit.

Teagarden delivered the Orioles' first hit with two outs in the third inning, tying the game with an opposite-field home run over the scoreboard in right field. Nick Markakis and J.J. Hardy followed by lining back-to-back doubles to the left-field corner, putting the O's on top, 2-1. Jones launched a two-run shot deep into the left-field seats to score two more.

"They got to him that inning," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Everything was kind of up, kind of the same speed. They can hit. They got him."

Baltimore added to its lead in the fourth inning. Nate McLouth delivered a leadoff single and scored on Teagarden's two-out double to center field.

Pedro Strop gave up a pair of hits in the ninth before the Orioles turned to Jim Johnson to record the final two outs. Ramirez sent a two-out single up the middle to score two, but Johnson struck out Beckham to end the threat and pick up his 41st save of the season.

Game Notes

Following the game, the Orioles optioned Britton to Triple-A Norfolk ... Prior to the game, the White Sox purchased the contract of infielder Jose Lopez, who went 2-for-4 on Thursday, from Triple-A Charlotte, placed catcher Tyler Flowers on the paternity list, purchased the contract of catcher Hector Gimenez, transferred pitcher Brian Bruney to the 60-day disabled list and released pitcher Gregory Infante ... The Orioles finished the season 6-2 against the White Sox ... Britton is 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA (three earned runs in 21 2/3 innings) over his last three starts ... Quintana lost on the road for the first time ... Chicago went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded six ... Baltimore went 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left four on base.