DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) — It seemed like every time the Baltimore Orioles were poised to score, the Chicago White Sox would squelch the threat — two outs at a time.
The Orioles hit into four double plays Tuesday night, including the game-ender in a 4-2 defeat.
Jose Quintana (4-7) allowed only one run in seven innings for the White Sox, but the left-hander and three relievers benefited greatly from Baltimore’s lack of clutch hitting. The Orioles stranded seven and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
“We squared up a couple balls early,” manager Buck Showalter said. “But there wasn’t a lot of good contact off (Quintana). Not real comfortable at-bats.”
Quintana (4-7) gave up six hits — including a solo homer by Steve Pearce — struck out eight and walked three. The left-hander was 0-3 in four starts since May 26.
Nick Markakis, who went 0 for 4 against Quintana with two strikeouts, said, “He’s a guy that short arms the ball and the ball jumps out of his hand. It is tough to get in a rhythm when you don’t see the ball behind his back and he short arms it with good velocity.”
One night after blowing a ninth-inning lead in the series opener, White Sox closer Ronald Belisario entered in the ninth with no outs and a runner on first. He allowed a pinch-hit RBI single to Delmon Young before getting pinch-hitter Ryan Flaherty to bounce into a double play.
Belisario’s eighth save sealed a much-needed victory for the White Sox, who had lost five in a row overall and eight straight on the road.
“When you have the opportunity, you have to win those games,” Chicago left fielder Alejandro De Aza said. “We have to enjoy it because it doesn’t happen very often.”
Miguel Gonzalez (4-5) yielded three runs and a career-high tying nine hits in five innings for Baltimore. It was his second start since returning from a 17-day stint on the disabled list with a strained right oblique, and like the last one, he failed to get into the sixth inning.
“Bent but didn’t break. Kept us engaged in the game. Gave us some chances,” Showalter said. “His command was off from what we’ve come to expect. He fought his way through five innings.”
Two batters into the game, Gonzalez and the Orioles fell behind for good when Gordon Beckham drove a fastball into the seats in left field for his seventh home run.
Chicago added a run in the second when Ramirez doubled and scored on a single by De Aza. The inning ended with a poorly executed double steal in which De Aza was nailed at the plate after getting a late start from third base.
Three straight two-out singles, the last by Tyler Flowers, made it 3-0 in the fourth.
The White Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth before Alexei Ramirez hit a popup and Dayan Viciedo bounced into a double play.
After Pearce homered leading off the sixth, Adam Jones doubled. But Quintana struck out Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis before retiring J.J. Hardy on a fly to right.
Chicago got an unearned run in the eighth. Ramirez singled, stole second, advanced on a passed ball and deftly avoided the tag at the plate by Caleb Joseph on a grounder by De Aza.
“I have to give him a lane to slide into if I don’t have the ball, but as soon as I have the ball I’m free to make the tag,” Joseph said. “So, I had the ball in plenty of time and just wasn’t aggressive with it.”
NOTES: Orioles 3B Manny Machado will have a hearing Wednesday on his appeal of a five-game suspension for intentionally throwing a bat on the field. … White Sox manager Robin Ventura says RHP Scott Carroll will start Thursday in Toronto. He replaces Andre Rienzo, who has been relegated to the bullpen after losing five straight starts and yielding 17 runs in his last three outings. … Baltimore RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, 0-6 with a 6.38 ERA at home, takes the mound Wednesday in the series finale against Chicago RHP Hector Noesi. … Chicago’s Adam Eaton walked twice and singled. He has reached base in 19 straight games and has an 11-game hitting streak.
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