Pivetta K’s 11, Phils beat O’s

Phillies eight games over .500 for first time since 2011

BALTIMORE » Nick Pivetta overpowered the Baltimore Orioles with his fastball and curve, showing potential as a top-of-the-rotation starter.

Pivetta tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts, Cesar Hernandez homered and Philadelphia beat the Orioles 4-1 Wednesday in a wet interleague matchup.

Philadelphia (24-16) climbed eight games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2011 season. The Orioles (13-29) have dropped two of three and have the second-worst record in the American League, ahead of only the Chicago White Sox (10-29).

Pivetta (3-2) won his second straight start, allowing one run, two hits and one walk in seven innings.

“He has dominant stuff. The kind of stuff that can wipe out the opposition,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. “Today was sort of one of those days that you can dream on, and like (think) what if he really puts it all together and is able to do this, start in and start out? And we’re starting to see that consistency.”

Odubel Herrera singled in the first and extended his on-base streak to 42 games for the Phillies, who have won six of seven.

Tommy Hunter allowed runners to reach second and third with one out in the eighth. Luis Garcia loaded the bases with a walk to Trey Mancini, then retired Adam Jones on a flyout and got Manny Machado to hit into a forceout.

Edubray Ramos struck out both batters he faced in the ninth, and Hector Neris retired Chris Davis on a game-ending groundout. Neris started the season as the closer, but Kapler said he plans to keep his options open.

“We know that Ramos’ slider is very effective against right-

GAIL BURTON — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philadelphia Phllies’ Cesar Hernandez, left, and Odubel Herrera celebrate their 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game Wednesday in Baltimore.