Jun 29, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) hits a two RBI double during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Photo Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
SAN DIEGO — Yovani Gallardo’s solid pitching enabled the Baltimore Orioles to record their seventh straight win with a 12-6 victory over the host San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon.
Gallardo (3-1) allowed three runs on as many hits and struck out six in six innings to pick up the victory.
Gallardo was stellar in gaining his second win in his third start since returning from the disabled list with a bicep tendinitis. He beat the Padres for the fifth time in nine decisions.
Mark Trumbo paced the Orioles with four RBIs and Manny Machado added three in the Orioles’ 12-hit attack.
Christian Friedrich (4-3) started well but faltered in the fourth and fifth innings when the Orioles scored six times. Friedrich was charged with six runs (four earned), five hits and two walks. He struck out seven in losing for the second time in his last three starts.
Gallardo nearly wiggled from his lone jam after Melvin Upton Jr. opened the sixth with a walk, which was followed by Wil Myers’ single. Brett Wallace blasted a two-out, three-run homer to center, pulling the Padres to within 7-3.
Relievers Odrisamer Despaigne, Brad Brach, Oliver Drake and Michael Givens collected the final nine outs to secure the win.
Meanwhile the Orioles abused the Padres’ bullpen for six runs, with five coming in the ninth.
Baltimore enjoyed a 6-0 advantage after tacking on two more runs in the fifth.
The trouble started when Gallardo drew a one-out walk from Friedrich. Jonathan Schoop’s second double pushed Gallardo to third before Machado was walked intentionally.
Then Friedrich committed a two-run throwing error on a bases-loaded play which started out meekly.
Chris Davis hit a dribbler up the first-base line and just before it rolled foul, Friedrich scooped it up and threw to Myers covering first. But Myers was apparently shielded by Davis and was unable to glove the throw which ended up in right field. That scored Schoop and Machado and the rout was on.
Andy Green wasn’t around to see it as the Padres manager notched his second ejection of the season after getting in a heated debate with first base umpire Bill Miller. Green was arguing that Davis wasn’t in the runner’s lane and should have been called out for interference.
After retiring the first nine batters, Friedrich walked Jones to open the fourth inning. Schoop followed with a crisp double to left-center, scoring Jones for a 1-0 Baltimore lead. Machado collected his 47th RBI by plating Schoop with a single.
After Davis struck out, Trumbo hit his major-league high 23rd homer, a two-shot off an 89 mph fastball which traveled 410 feet. It was also the club’s 55th homer in June, which tied the major-league record of the 1996 Oakland A’s.
That gave the Orioles a 4-0 advantage, more than enough to give Gallardo his first road win of the season.
NOTES: San Diego RHP Andrew Cashner (neck) continues to make progress and could start on Sunday in the series finale against the visiting New York Yankees. … Padres RHP Tyson Ross (shoulder) had another bullpen session and could throw a batting-practice session this weekend. … Baltimore RHP Vance Worley (groin) is expected to rejoin the team in Seattle on Thursday. … Orioles C Caleb Joseph (testicular) could complete his minor league rehab assignment and be with the club in Seattle.
