Gausman’s dominance nearly complete

O’s starter continues resurgence with 82⁄3 scoreless innings

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The Orioles used right-hander Kevin Gausman’s best start of the season and the longest of his career, plus an early offensive outburst, for a 4-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night before an announced 44,658 at Globe Life Park.

Gausman pitched into the ninth inning for the first time in his career and was one out away from a shutout when a two-out walk and a blooper into center field brought in closer Zach Britton. Britton recorded the game’s final out to give Gausman the sterling line of 82⁄3 scoreless innings, striking out eight against three walks while allowing seven hits — all singles.

For the 26-year-old right-hander, who was the team’s Opening Day starter but carried a 7.50 ERA into May and was still north of 6.00 in mid-June, Saturday marked his third straight quality start and his fifth straight win, bringing him to 8-7 with a 5.37 ERA on the season.

The only real trouble he had came early. A leadoff walk to designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo and an infield single by shortstop Elvis Andrus elevated the stakes in the first inning, but a difficult 3-6-1 double play and a putout by shortstop Rubén Tejada from deep in the shortstop hole ended the inning.

From there, Gausman cruised. After Choo singled with two outs in the fifth inning, Gausman didn’t allow another man to reach until he walked right fielder Nomar Mazara to open the ninth. But third baseman Manny Machado fielded a difficult short-hop off the bat of his counterpart, Adrián Beltré, to deny him his 3,000th hit and turn a crucial double play. Gausman issued a third walk with two down before a bloop fell in center field PG5 Orioles starter Kevin Gausman lasted into the ninth inning for the first time in his career and was one out away from a shutout, earning his third straight quality start.