BALTIMORE (AP) — One good start deserves another — and then another.
The Baltimore Orioles have received a string of exceptional performances from their starting rotation, and these razor-sharp hurlers are equally efficient against last-place teams and the best club in the American League.
Dean Kremer pitched a four-hitter, Adley Rutschman homered and the Orioles kept themselves squarely in the playoff hunt by defeating the Houston Astros 6-0 Friday night.
The victory, combined with Seattle’s loss to Kansas City, moved Baltimore within three games of the Mariners in the race for the third and final AL wild-card spot. It’s been an uplifting season for an Orioles team that went 52-110 last year, Baltimore will need to remain hot and get some help to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.
It all starts with pitching.
Kremer (8-5) walked two, struck out six and did not allow a runner past second base in his first career complete game. Last season, the 26-year-old righty was 0-7 for Baltimore.
It was the third straight impressive performance by an Orioles starter, following Jordan Lyles’ three-hitter against Detroit and Kyle Bradish pitching into the ninth inning of a shutout against AL West-champion Houston on Thursday night.
“It’s contagious,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Maybe Bradish saw what Jordan did, and Dean saw what Bradish and Jordan did and just wanted to keep it going.”
Baltimore has 15 shutouts this season — its most since 1992 — including three against Houston. In spite of their success this season, the Astros are 1-4 against Baltimore and have been outscored 14-4.
“They pitched great against us,” Houston manager Dusty Baker said “We don’t like it. We’re not happy about it, but sometimes things don’t go your way. They’ve pretty much taken it to…