Ryan O’Hearn drives in three runs as Orioles win for sixth time in seven games, beating Mariners 4-1

SEATTLE– Ryan O’Hearn had a key two-out, two-run double and later added a solo home run, Dean Kremer threw five shutout innings in his first start since late May, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners by 4 to 1 on Wednesday night.

Baltimore won for the sixth time in seven games and continued a recent Seattle team that saw its 10-game lead in the AL West shrink to two. The Mariners lost for the 10th time in 13 games.

Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth in his 21st save for Baltimore and the 438th of his career, putting him alone in fourth place on the all-time saves list.

O’Hearn, who finished second to Yordan Alvarez in All-Star Game voting as the AL designated hitter, delivered the big blow during a two-out, third-inning rally by Seattle starter Logan Gilbert.

O’Hearn’s push to deep left-center field cut off Julio Rodríguez’s glove as he attempted to make a sliding catch on the warning track. Rodríguez was immediately angry with himself for not shooting the ball when Ramon Urias and Adley Rutschman scored. Anthony Santander followed with a single to score O’Hearn.

Two innings later, O’Hearn hit his 11th home run of the season on a Gilbert cutter that was left in the middle of the plate.

That turned out to be a huge boost for Kremer, who has been starting since May 20 due to a triceps strain. Kremer (4-4) didn’t allow a hit until Ty France dribbled a single through the infield with one out in the fourth inning. Using his splitter significantly more than his average for the season, Kremer gave up two hits, struck out eight and allowed just one baserunner to reach second.

Cal Raleigh’s 15th home run of the season against Baltimore reliever Keegan Akin in the sixth inning ended the shutout. But the Mariners have scored more than three runs once in the last eight games.

Gilbert (5-5) has allowed two earned runs in his previous three starts combined, but his control hasn’t been sharp. Gilbert’s three walks matched the combined total from his previous eight starts, dating back to May 20.

BULPEN LIMITED

Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said LHP Cole Irvin will move to the bullpen for now with Kremer’s return rather than having a six-man rotation. Irvin started 14 games this season for the Orioles.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles: LHP Nick Vespi was acquired by Triple-A Norfolk.

Mariners: RHP Gregory Santos made it through his first rehab outing at Triple-A Tacoma without issue. The Mariners hope he needs just one or two more games before returning to the lineup.

NEXT

Orioles: RHP Corbin Burnes (9-3, 2.28) had 11 strikeouts in six innings in his first start against Seattle earlier this season.

Mariners: RHP Bryce Miller (6-7, 3.88) has lost two straight games. Miller allowed two runs in five innings in his last start against Minnesota.

___

APMLB: