Orioles complete 3-game sweep of Rangers with 2-1 win

Updated Jul. 6, 2022 10:02 p.m. ET

Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — Spenser Watkins pitched more than six innings for the first time in his career, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Texas Rangers 2-1 on Wednesday night for their first three-game sweep of the season.

Watkins (2-1) allowed one run and four hits with three strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in his first career start against Texas, which fell to 4-17 in one-run games.

Jorge López worked the ninth and struck out Brad Miller to end the game, earning his 14th save after blowing his last two opportunities.

The Rangers ended a major league-best streak of 11 games with a homer, one shy of the franchise record.

The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the second off Glenn Otto when two runs scored on an infield single by Ryan McKenna and a throwing error by shortstop Corey Seager.

Texas pulled within 2-1 in the fifth on an RBI double by Leody Taveras.

Watkins, a 29-year-old, second-year right-hander, allowed one run for a third straight start following a stint on the injured list. He threw 84 pitches, 61 for strikes, and walked his only batter with one out in the seventh.

Otto (4-5) allowed two runs — one earned — with three hits and five strikeouts over five innings.

The Orioles swept the Rangers for the first time since 2017 and are 11-11-4 in series this season.

ROSTER MOVES

Rangers: LHP Kolby Allard was activated from the taxi squad. ... LHP John King was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

Orioles: RHP Beau Sulser was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. ... LHP Nick Vespi was optioned to the Tides. ... LHP Kirk McCarty was claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians and optioned to Norfolk. ... RHP Marcos Diplán was designed for assignment.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: 3B Josh Smith and OF Adolis García got the night off.

Orioles: OF Austin Hays was back in the lineup after being held out the previous day with a wrist injury. ... 1B Ryan Mountcastle is still dealing with a sinus infection but was available off the bench. ... RHP Kyle Bradish (shoulder) will pitch a simulated game Thursday.

UP NEXT

Rangers: RHP Jon Gray (4-4, 3.96 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday against the Minnesota Twins and RHP Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.47).

Orioles: RHP Jordan Lyles (4-7, 4.70) will start the series opener Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels and RHP Chase Silseth (1-2, 5.23).

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