Gibson
By DAVID GINSBURG
Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP) — Coming off two consecutive lopsided victories over the sagging Chicago White Sox, the Baltimore Orioles appeared headed for another blowout after bolting to a four-run lead in the first inning of the series finale.
Unfortunately for the AL East-leading Orioles, it wasn’t enough of a cushion for 13-game winner Kyle Gibson.
Chicago hit three home runs off Gibson to rally from that early deficit and pulled out a 10-5 win Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Anthony Santander homered for the Orioles, who hit two doubles and a pair of singles in the first inning off Dylan Cease before fading to their third loss in 12 games.
“The offense did a great job of getting runs early,” Gibson, a Greenfield native and 2006 Greenfield-Central High School grad, said. “Then, giving them back there by not being able to make a pitch and get out of it, that’s pretty frustrating.”
Luis Robert Jr. hit his 35th home run in the third inning to put Chicago ahead for good. Andrew Vaughn and Óscar Colás also went deep for the White Sox, who were outscored 18-3 in the first two games of the series.
Gibson (13-8) allowed seven runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander gave up only 16 home runs in his first 27 starts, but in this one he allowed three homers to the first 11 batters he faced.
It was a weird August for Gibson, who beat the Mets, Oakland and Toronto but was shelled by Seattle and the White Sox.
“Had a bunch of quality starts, pitched really well for us,” manager Brandon Hyde said, “and had a few which really didn’t go his way early.”
Cease (6-7) overcame a 30-pitch first inning to earn only his second victory in eight starts since July 16. He allowed five runs and six hits in six innings, walking three and striking out seven.
Cease threw 109 pitches, the 10th time this season he’s reached triple digits.
Santander hit an RBI double and scored on a single by Ryan O’Hearn as part of a big first inning that made it appear as if the Orioles were ready to cruise behind Gibson, who was perfect in the top half.
Gibson’s next scheduled start is listed for Wednesday, Sept. 6 at the Los Angeles Angels. The game is scheduled to start at 9:38 p.m. ET. Reid Detmers is scheduled to go for the Angels.
Though Wednesday’s outing against the ChiSox was a rough one, Gibson is having one of his best seasons this year. His 13 wins are tied for the lead in the American League with Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin.
