Hilfe & Support » time in five games after scor

CLEVELAND -- For much of the weekend, Baltimore didnt look like a division leader or contender. They were ordinary Orioles. One inning salvaged them. Rookie Kevin Gausman pitched six strong innings and the Orioles, getting clutch two-out hits from J. J. Hardy and Chris Davis in the sixth, avoided being swept for the first time since May by beating the Cleveland Indians 4-1 on Sunday. Gausman (7-4) allowed just one run and two hits as the AL East-leading Orioles got back in the win column after scoring just one run in their previous two games. "Its been a rough couple of days, but those things are going to happen," said Steve Pearce, who had a leadoff double in the sixth and then homered in the seventh. "It was only a matter of time. We put together some good at-bats and grinded it out." Hardy delivered a two-out RBI single and the slumping Davis added an RBI double to rally the Orioles, who were blanked over the first five by Danny Salazar (4-7). Orioles reliever Darren ODay pitched a perfect seventh, Andrew Miller struck out the side in the eighth and Zach Britton finished the two-hitter for his 26th save. Jonathan Schoop also homered for Baltimore, which is an MLB-best 28-13 since June 30. However, the Orioles were listless for 25 innings, scoring once Friday, not at all Saturday and they trailed 1-0 before taking their first lead of the series in the sixth -- thanks to Hardy and Davis. Salazar, recalled before the game from Triple-A Columbus, held Baltimore without a run on four hits through five before running into trouble in the sixth. He gave up Pearces double and hit Adam Jones before he was replaced by Scott Atchison, who got two quick outs. Hardy, though, came through with his single and Davis, who was dropped again in the order by manager Buck Showalter, looped a soft double into left to make it 2-1. Gausman then set down the Indians in order in the sixth before turning it over to Baltimores bullpen. The right-hander, who improved to 3-1 on the road, sensed the Orioles urgency to leave town with a victory. "I definitely knew we needed a win," Gausman said. "We hadnt played very good baseball the last two days. When you get walked-off (Fridays 2-1 loss) and then you get beat the next day, its huge when you get that last game." The Indians failed to take advantage of another strong start. Pearce homered off C.C. Lee in the seventh and Schoops leadoff drive in the ninth made it 4-1. Although he took the loss, Salazar continued a torrid run of starting pitching for the Indians, who got a typically strong outing from Corey Kluber in the opener before Carlos Carrasco blanked the Orioles on three hits over seven innings. Over the past seven games, Clevelands starters have posted a 1.02 ERA -- five earned runs in 44 innings. As much as he wanted the sweep, Indians manager Terry Francona was satisfied with taking two of three from the free-swinging Orioles. "You hope they get out of town and beat up on somebody else because they were pretty quiet for two games and a half of another," he said. "But theres a lot of thunder in that lineup." LINEUP SHUFFLE Davis began the series batting second, dropped to fifth Saturday and hit seventh in the finale. He snapped an 0-for-11 skid with a double in the third. It was his first game with two doubles since May 10, 2013. WINDY CITY The Orioles will spend the next week in Chicago. After playing three against the White Sox, theyll have an off day before opening a weekend series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. TRAINERS ROOM Orioles: 3B Manny Machado (sprained right knee) continues his rehab program, but hes not doing any baseball activities. Theres no timetable for his return. UP NEXT Orioles: RHP Bud Norris (10-7) will start the series opener against the White Sox and Chris Sale (10-2) as the Orioles continue their nine-game road trip. Indians: After an off day, the Indians will open a three-game set in Minnesota with Trevor Bauer (4-7) facing Twins RHP Kyle Gibson (11-9). Chipper Jones Jersey . After a tight first half, the Croatians took command in Reykjavik after Skulason was dismissed for a professional foul in the 51st minute, but couldnt find a way past Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson and his packed defence. Eduardo had a weak shot cleared away from near the goalline after barely a minute for Croatia, whose substitute Ivica Olic forced a fine reaction save from Halldorsson in the 55th. Tom Glavine Jersey .S. international midfielder Michael Bradley is complete. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/bob...-braves-jersey/. On a hot, sweaty day, the Hall of Famer looked cool and comfortable. Freddie Freeman Jersey . Now he can be had by any team willing to pay his salary. According to a report from ESPN, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are shopping the veteran CB and plan on releasing him Wednesday if they cant find a trade partner. Dansby Swanson Jersey .com) - John Wall supplied 24 points and 11 assists in leading the Washington Wizards to a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.OKLAHOMA CITY - Kevin Durant is taking nothing for granted these days.The reigning MVP missed the first 17 games this season with a broken bone in his right foot, and then played three road games before making his home debut Tuesday night. He got a rousing welcome back from the crowd, and scored 23 points to help the Thunder to a 114-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.Just to play here is a blessing, he said. Ive been saying that for a while, but to be out for so long and finally get a chance to play in front of our home crowd — I felt good getting my name called in the starting lineup.Durant was 7 for 11 from the field and 8 for 8 at the line. He also had nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 minutes.Russell Westbrook scored 28 points for the Thunder, who have won five of six after starting the season with a 3-12 record.Were still trying to work some things out, Durant said. You know, Im sure a lot of people are expecting us to be back to playoff-type of basketball right now, but were just like any other team, just trying to continue to just build and keep getting better.O.J. Mayo had 18 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 17 for the Bucks, who have lost five of six.We let those guys get in the lane, get in our paint, and we fouled a lot tonight, Mayo said.Durant missed his first two shots, but drained his third, a 3-pointer with 8:08 left in the first quarter. He took a break after scoring seven points in the first 4:51.Westbrooks powerful one-handed putback on a missed 3-pointer by Reggie Jackson put the Thunder up 61-52 at halftime. Oklahoma City shot 60 per cent in the second quarter after a sluggish first.Durant gave the fans another thrill early in the fourth quarter. He pulled in a defensive rebound, brought the ball up court and then used a pick by Kendrick Perkins to get free for an easy two-handed slam that gave the Thunder a 93-82 lead.Durant added a jumperr and a no-look bounce pass to Serge Ibaka for a dunk that gave the Thunder a 103-88 lead.dddddddddddd Durant left for good with 3:36 remaining and the Thunder holding a 109-90 lead.Hes getting back into rhythm, Westbrook said. Hes getting back in the swing of things.TIP-INSThunder: Oklahoma City was called for a clear path foul after Durant threw a poor pass that was intercepted, and Anthony Morrow had to foul to prevent an easy hoop in the closing seconds of the first quarter. ... Perkins was issued a technical foul with 8:56 left in the second quarter.Bucks: Milwaukee shot 52 per cent in the first quarter to take a 31-26 lead, but shot 36 per cent the rest of the game. ... G Brandon Knight, the Bucks leading scorer for the season with nearly 18 points per game, finished with nine points on 2-for-10 shooting.FINDING THE GROOVEOklahoma City scored a season-high 114 points and shot better than 50 per cent from the field for just the second time this season. Oklahoma City scored at least 100 points for the fourth time in five games after scoring 100 or more just four times in its first 16.FALLING APARTThe Bucks have allowed at least 107 points in four of their past five games. Their opponent shot at least 50 per cent in all four of those games, all losses.We are a young team, so we are going to make mistakes, and make more mistakes the next game, coach Jason Kidd said. We just have to learn from them and correct them. We have to see them before they happen so that we can help one another.QUOTE OF THE NIGHTI just try to feel the game out. Im not trying to worry about doing so much in so little time, I guess, and the last few games, Im just going out there and playing, and whatever happens happens. — Durant.UP NEXTBucks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.Thunder: Host Cleveland on Thursday.___Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP ' ' '