Orioles 4 - 1 Guardians
Final
  for this game

O's aim to avoid Indians' brooms

Aug 17, 2014 - 1:45 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Baltimore Orioles will try to salvage the finale of their three-game series with the Cleveland Indians on Sunday at Progressive Field.

Getting the call for the Orioles on Sunday will be Kevin Gausman, who has a 6-4 record with a 3.90 earned run average. He's struggled a bit with command, registering 25 walks in 67 innings pitched.

He ended a personal two-game winning streak with a defeat against St. Louis last Sunday. Gausman lasted five innings and surrendered three runs on eight hits.

"My last three starts have all kind of been a grind," Gausman said. "I've kind of been battling myself a little bit at times. I think part of it is I've been walking some guys in some bad situations."

Gausman struggled in one career game against the Indians, picking up the loss in a 2 2/3-inning relief effort. He allowed two runs on three hits, and has a 6.75 ERA against Cleveland.

Cleveland will oppose him with righty Danny Salazar, who had a three-start winning streak stopped his last time out back on Aug. 6. Salazar lost to Cincinnati in that one, as he allowed five runs and five hits in just four innings, dropping him to 4-5 to go along with a 4.88 ERA.

"There's so much to like about him, and he competes," Francona said. "He's at the point in the season now where he has that arm strength, so I think his confidence is probably pretty high."

The Indians had no issue taking care of Ubaldo Jimenez and the Orioles Saturday night, as Cleveland cruised to a 6-0 win behind starter Carlos Carrasco.

Carrasco pitched seven innings of three-hit scoreless ball and struck out five in the process. Jimenez went just 4 1/3, and allowed all six of Cleveland's runs on five hits. That included a three-run home run by Carlos Santana and a a two-run shot from Michael Brantley.

"I think he feels good about himself," Francona said. "I think being out in the bullpen helped him a lot. It let him settle in and get his confidence and kind of understand who he is. It's a big lift for us."

Santana was the only Indians player to register two hits, while Nick Markakis held that distinction for Baltimore. Brantley entered the night tied for fourth in the AL in batting average, and in a third-place tie for hits.

Cleveland has won five games in a row.






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