Irvin’s terrific start, Henderson, Mountcastle, Rutschman homers power Orioles to 7-0 win over Athletics

BALTIMORE—Cole Irvin had his second straight strong start, pitching seven shutout innings, giving up four hits as the Orioles defeated the Oakland Athletics, 7-0, before 28,364 at Camden Yards on Saturday.

In his previous start, Irvin pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits against Kansas City on Sunday.

The seven innings were the most he’s pitched for the Orioles, and the longest by a starter this season. Irvin struck out five and hit a batter.

It was the second shutout by the Orioles this season, both in the last two games started by Irvin.

Irvin (2-1) retired the first 10 Oakland (11-17) batters before Tyler Nevin’s fourth-inning single. Abraham Toro led off the fifth with a single and JJ Bleday hit into a double play.

Irvin allowed a two-out single to Esteury Ruiz in the sixth and a leadoff single to Brent Rooker in the seventh that hit off his left hand. After consulting with manager Brandon Hyde and head athletic trainer Brian Ebel, Irvin remained in the game.

After going nine up and nine down against JP Sears, the Orioles (17-9) scored three runs on five hits in the fourth.

Gunnar Henderson led off with a single and stole second, his sixth, and after Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle struck out, Anthony Santander doubled to score Henderson. Jordan Westburg drove in Santander with a single, and after Cedric Mullins singled, James McCann’s RBI single drove Westburg home.

Rutschman and Mountcastle hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth. It was the third for each, and the Orioles led, 5-0.

Henderson hit a two-run homer in the seventh against Sears (1-2), who allowed all seven runs in 6 2/3 innings.

Mike Baumann and Dillon Tate each pitched scoreless innings to complete the shutout.

With the win, the Orioles have gone 100 straight regular-season series without being swept, the fourth longest streak in baseball history.