BALTIMORE _ Whether it was because of a Swiss cheese Texas Rangers defense or a career-best seven-strikeout performance by Yefry Ramirez, the Orioles found their motivation to eke out a mid-series victory Saturday.
When third baseman Adrian Beltre committed a throwing error on Tim Beckham's soft single in the sixth, one of three Rangers errors, the Orioles (27-69) had their first baserunner perched within 90 feet of home plate on the night. The next batter, Jonathan Schoop, hit a sacrifice fly to center field for the only run of the game.
Up to that point, the Orioles had grounded into three double plays. Beckham (two hits) and Danny Valencia (two hits) led the Orioles, who finished with six hits. Manny Machado and Schoop each had one. Rangers left-hander Martin Perez was otherwise strong, allowing one run in seven innings in his first start since April 29. He had been out with an elbow injury.
Before a brief rally from the Orioles offense, the game was Ramirez's to sculpt. The rookie right-hander has not yet managed to pitch deep in a game, but performed well Saturday with two hits allowed in five scoreless innings, matching his career high for innings. Efficiency has not been Ramirez's strong suit, as he needed 94 pitches to get through five frames.
Ramirez whiffed seven batters, with back-to-back strikeouts in the first and fourth innings.
With Saturday's win, the Orioles staved off becoming the quickest team to 70 losses before the All-Star break with one game to go Sunday.
After Baltimore's bats got it going in the sixth, the defense put on a bit of a show to protect the lead. Rangers first baseman Ronald Guzman's shot to shallow center field had Adam Jones springing forward to make a catch in the seventh. Then in the eighth, reliever Mychal Givens whipped a pitch to second to pick off Isiah Kiner-Falefa, eliminating a runner in scoring position.
Closer Zach Britton then struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his third save.
