Blue Jays fall to Orioles again

BALTIMORE (AP) — When Welington Castillo came to the plate, a sellout crowd at Camden Yards began to cheer in anticipation of another electrifying performance.

And once again, the veteran catcher delivered in a big way.

Castillo hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game to lead the Baltimore Orioles past the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 on Saturday night.

The Orioles improved to 15-3 at home — the best mark in the majors — and can complete a three-game sweep today. Baltimore took over first place in the American League East by a half-game over the New York Yankees.

“This is a team, honestly, that we never felt when we’re losing the game, we’re going to give up,” Castillo said. “This is a team that can turn a (game) around really quick. Anybody on the team can do little stuff that can put us back in the game.”

Jose Bautista had given Toronto a 5-4 lead with a three-run homer off winning pitcher Mychal Givens (5-0) in the seventh.

Baltimore responded in the bottom half when Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo hit one-out singles. Castillo followed with the biggest blow when he hit an 0-2 pitch from Danny Barnes (0-2) over the fence in left.

On Friday night, Castillo hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give Baltimore a 5-3 win. Since coming off the 10-day DL on May 16, Castillo is 10 for 18 (.556) with three homers and 10 RBIs.

Darren O’Day pitched a perfect eighth, setting up Brad Brach to pick up his ninth save for Baltimore.

Manny Machado gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead with a solo shot in the third off Mike Bolsinger. Trumbo increased the margin to 4-1 with a two-run homer in the fifth.

Justin Smoak’s 10th homer of the season pulled the Blue Jays within 4-2 in the sixth off starter Kevin Gausman, who allowed 10 hits over six innings. Gausman was helped by three double plays.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons declined to speak to the media after the game.