Gibson
By DAVID GINSBURG
Associated Press
BALTIMORE (AP) — After scoring a combined two runs in successive defeats and uncertain about the status of their hard-hitting first baseman, the Baltimore Orioles are limping into their showdown with Tampa Bay for first place in the AL East.
Richie Palacios homered, rookie Drew Rom and four relievers combined on a three-hitter and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Baltimore 1-0 Wednesday night to trim the Orioles’ lead in the division to two games.
“Any series is tough, but I still think we played pretty good baseball,” said Greenfield’s Kyle Gibson, who allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings. “The last thing we need to do right now is make too much over one loss and losing a series. We’re two games up, and if we play good baseball the last three weeks I think we’ll be fine.”
In a game dominated by strong pitching and tight defense, Palacios provided the lone run with a solo shot over the right-field scoreboard in the fourth inning off Gibson (14-9). It was his fourth homer of the season and third in two nights.
To make matters worse, Baltimore first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was pulled from the game in the third inning with left shoulder discomfort, and afterward he wasn’t too optimistic about bouncing right back.
“It doesn’t feel good,” Mountcastle said, adding that he will likely receive an MRI on Thursday to determine the extent of the injury.
Baltimore has lost two straight and three of four heading into a four-game series against the Rays beginning Thursday night. The Orioles have been in first place since July 19, in part because their longest losing streak since that time has been two.
But Baltimore dropped two of three to St. Louis after losing the final game of a series in Boston — not the kind of momentum it was hoping for heading into its most pivotal series this year.
Gibson’s next scheduled start is Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Houston. The Astros scheduled starter is Hunter Brown (11-11). Game time is 8:10 p.m.
