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BALTIMORE—The Orioles got a well pitched game from Jorge López. The Houston Astros got one that was even better from Zack Greinke.
The future Hall of Famer, who hadn’t pitched against the Orioles since July 31, 2010, was outstanding, allowing just a run on five hits in 7 1/3 innings in Houston’s 3-1 win over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 8,510 at Camden Yards on Tuesday night.
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It was the 12th loss in 13 games for the Orioles (23-50). Houston (45-28) won its ninth straight.
Greinke (8-2) gave up his run in the third. Pedro Severino walked with one out, moved to third on Pat Valaika’s single and scored on Cedric Mullins’ sinking liner to center ielder Myles Straw.
Manager Brandon Hyde has an appreciation for Greinke, who won his 216th game.
“He’s done this for a long time,” Hyde said. “He knows how to pitch. He understands how to get a ground ball in a double play spot, understands where to attack and when, mixing his pitches well.
“I thought we battled, I thought we competed … Faced a really good starter today.”
López (2-9) pitched into the seventh and left after Chas McCormick’s infield single. Hunter Harvey relieved him and, with McCormick running on the pitch, Straw hit a sinking liner to right field that DJ Stewart nearly caught but the ball skipped past him. By the time he recovered it, McCormick raced home with the go-ahead run.
“He was stealing on the play, anyway,” Stewart said. “If he stops it’s going to be hard for him to get back if I catch it. He made a good play, a good read.”
In a season-high 6 1/3 innings, López gave up two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out six going against Greinke.
“He’s a master. He’s a legend,” López said. “I’ve been following his career. It’s been awesome to watch him pitch, how he commands, his mound presence. He’s like a robot, man. He’s a huge, huge example to every starting pitcher.”
Hyde was impressed by López and gave him a smile when he took him out.
“Going into the seventh inning against a good lineup, a playoff-type lineup,” Hyde said. “We’re happy with how he threw. I know he had a rough outing last time, but I think he’s making big strides. He continues to impress.”
Straw’s second home run of the season accounted for Houston’s first run in the second. Straw’s ball was originally ruled a double but was changed after a crew chief review.
Houston got a tack-on run in the eighth.
Michael Brantley and Yuli Gurriel began the inning with singles against Tanner Scott, who walked Yordan Alvarez to load the bases. Brantley was forced at home on Abraham Toro’s grounder to short. McCormick’s sacrifice fly to left scored Gurriel.
The Orioles, who were hitless for 7 1/3 innings on Monday night, had three hits in the first six innings. Trey Mancini led off the seventh with a double to center but didn’t score. Stewart led off the eighth with a single and, after Severino flew out to left, Brooks Raley replaced Greinke.
Raley struck out Anthony Santander, who was pinch-hitting for Valaika, and Mullins, who’s hitless in his last 12 at-bats to end the eighth.
Ryan Pressley pitched the ninth for his 11th save.
Notes: López was the first Oriole pitcher to throw more than six innings since John Means threw seven on May 24th. … Toronto right-hander Alek Manoah was suspended for five games for throwing at Maikel Franco in Saturday’s game. He’s appealing the ruling. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo was suspended for Tuesday night’s game at Miami. … Thomas Eshelman (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will face José Urquidy (5-3, 3.65) on Wednesday night.
Minor Matters: Ofelky Peralta recorded just two outs and gave up four runs in the first inning as Double-A Bowie lost to New Hampshire, 10-5
Catcher Adley Rutschman hit a two-run home run, his 11th.
Gunnar Henderson was hitless in two at-bats in his first game for High-A Aberdeen in a 14-0 loss to Rome. Henderson, who was promoted from Low-A Delmarva, played third and walked twice. The IronBirds got just three hits.
Jake Prizina allowed six runs on six hits in three innings.
Zach Peek and Houston Roth combined on a one-hitter in Delmarva’s 10-0 win over Fredericksburg. Peek allowed the hit in five innings, striking out eight and walking one. Roth pitched four hitless innings, striking out seven and walking one.
Rightfielder Cristopher Cespedes had five RBIs, including a grand slam.
Triple-A Norfolk’s scheduled game with Gwinnett was rained out. The teams will play a doubleheader on Wednesday.
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