Jack Flaherty pitches 6 innings to win Baltimore debut as AL-leading Orioles beat Blue Jays 4-1

TORONTO — Jack Flaherty pitched six innings to win his Baltimore debut, Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Hays every had 4 hits and the American League-leading Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 on Thursday.

Mountcastle went 4 for 4 and scored twice and Hays was 4 for five with two RBIs as Baltimore took three of 4 from Toronto. The Orioles are 8-2 towards the Blue Jays this season.

Baltimore prolonged its lead within the AL East to 2 video games over Tampa Bay. The Rays have been off Thursday.

Toronto is 8-23 towards AL East opponents.

Acquired from St. Louis on Tuesday, Flaherty (8-6) allowed one run and 4 hits. He walked two and struck out eight.

Left-hander Danny Coulombe, and right-handers Yennier Cano and Mike Baumann every labored one inning.

Flaherty obtained a win towards the Blue Jays for the second time this season. With the Cardinals, Flaherty overcame a career-worst seven walks to pitch 5 shutout innings and beat Toronto on April 1.

On Thursday, Toronto’s Whit Merrifield led off the underside of the primary with a single and Brandon Belt walked, however Flaherty retired the following 15 batters so as.

Kevin Kiermaier singled to start the sixth and was dominated secure at second on Merrifield’s infield single after the Blue Jays challenged umpire Mike Muchlinski’s power out name.

One out later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit an RBI single. George Springer walked to load the bases, however Flaherty ended his outing by placing out Matt Chapman and getting Alejandro Kirk to fly out.

Adley Rutschman and Hays every hit RBI singles off former Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman within the second however left fielder Daulton Varsho threw Hays out at residence plate to finish the inning.

Gausman (8-6) allowed three runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked six.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles: LHP Keegan Akin (again) pitched one scoreless inning in a rehab look at Triple-A Norfolk Thursday. RHP Mychal Givens (shoulder) adopted with two scoreless innings for the Tides.

Blue Jays: Toronto put RHP Trevor Richards on the 15-day IL due to neck irritation and recalled RHP Bowden Francis from Triple-A Buffalo. … RHP Chad Green (Tommy John surgical procedure) allowed one hit and struck out two over 1 2/3 innings in a rehab look at Triple-A on Wednesday night time. Green is anticipated to pitch for the Bisons once more Saturday.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Dean Kremer (10-4, 4.55 ERA) begins Friday as Baltimore returns residence for an interleague sequence towards the New York Mets. LHP David Peterson (3-7, 5.92) begins for New York.