Charlie Morton struck out 10 in five innings and the Baltimore Orioles withstood the visiting Los Angeles Angels and two lengthy weather delays to win 2-0 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.
Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano homered for the Orioles, who are 2-2 on their six-game homestand.
Morton (3-7) was sharp from the get-go, but he didn’t return following a rain delay in the bottom of the fifth. He allowed five hits and issued one walk, becoming the first pitcher in Orioles history to produce two games with 10 or more strikeouts in five or fewer innings.
Yennier Cano, Gregory Soto, Bryan Baker and Felix Bautista each worked an inning from the bullpen in the combined eight-hitter — all singles. Bautista picked up his 13th save, striking out two.
The game marked the major league debut for Angels second baseman Christian Moore, who went 0-for-3 with one strikeout from the No. 9 spot in the batting order. A year ago, Moore was playing in the College World Series and helping Tennessee win a national championship. He was the No. 8 overall selection in last summer’s draft.
Joe Adell and Luis Rengifo each had two hits for the Angels.
Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz (3-8) also didn’t return following the fifth-inning stoppage. Two of the four hits he surrendered in 4 1/3 innings went for solo home runs.
The game began after a 70-minute delay. The game’s first two batters reached base before Morton struck out the next three, including Mike Trout.
O’Hearn’s 10th homer of the season led off the second. He added a double in the eighth.
Laureano’s eighth homer opened the fifth. With one out and one on, the game entered a rain delay that lasted slightly more than an hour.
The Orioles loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth and didn’t convert.
–Field Level Media
