CHICAGO (AP) — Ramón Urías hit a two-run homer and made a big defensive play, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on Tuesday night for their ninth straight victory.
Jorge Mateo also homered as Baltimore (44-44) reached .500 for the first time this season. It’s the longest win streak for the Orioles since the franchise won 13 straight in September 1999.
“The last couple of seasons didn’t go well; a lot of losses,” Urías said. “And, of course we’re enjoying this time.”
Baltimore right-hander Jordan Lyles (6-7) pitched seven innings of two-run ball in his second straight win. Jorge López, the Orioles’ lone All-Star selection, worked the ninth for his 17th save in 21 chances.
“We’re playing baseball all around,” Lyles said. “Some games we’re throwing it lights out; some days we’re mashing it, getting extra-base hits one after the other. That’s the sign of a good team.”
All-Star Ian Happ homered for Chicago, which dropped its fifth in a row. Adrian Sampson (0-1) allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Baltimore trailed 2-1 in the fourth before Urías almost cleared the left-field bleachers with a two-run drive for his seventh homer.
The Cubs trailed 3-2 in the sixth and had Seiya Suzuki at third with one out. But Urías gloved Nico Hoerner’s liner inches off the ground and trotted to third to complete the double play.
Mateo went deep in the seventh against Brandon Hughes. It was his seventh homer of the season.
“They’re probably the most aggressive team in baseball,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “They’re going to come out swinging and they did. A couple of early-count fastball homers was the difference in the game.”
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