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Baltimore starting pitcher Albert Suarez outdueled Max Scherzer as the Orioles defeated the visiting Texas Rangers 2-1 on Friday night.

Colton Cowser homered for Baltimore’s first run as the Orioles, who have captured the first two games of the four-game series, have won three in a row overall.

Suarez (4-2) pitched six shutout innings, allowing three singles without a walk. The right-hander struck out two in halting a personal two-game skid.

Yennier Cano, who began the seventh on the mound, walked the first two batters he faced and then yielded Travis Jankowski’s one-out single that loaded the bases. Jacob Webb entered, and after striking out Jonah Heim, walked Leody Taveras to force in a run before escaping the jam.

Cionel Perez and Craig Kimbrel each worked an inning to finish what was a combined four-hitter. It was Kimbrel’s 18th save, aided by two strikeouts.

Scherzer (1-1) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Cowser’s 12th home run of the season continued Baltimore’s long-ball bashing after the team hit four homers a night earlier.

The Rangers have dropped five straight and 10 of their last 14 games.

Cowser’s homer marked the first run in two games against Scherzer this season. Scherzer had been on the injured list until logging five shutout innings of Kansas City on Sunday in his season debut.

The Orioles managed only five hits — Cowser’s homer and four singles.

No. 9 batter James McCann had the only hit off Scherzer until Cowser’s blast with one out in the fourth.

The Orioles tacked on a run in the fifth courtesy of Gunnar Henderson’s one-out, RBI single to drive in Jorge Mateo, who led off with a single.

Baltimore improved to 28-16 in home games and has won three of its first five games in the seven-game homestand. The Rangers won twice at Camden Yards in last October’s playoffs.

–Field Level Media