Dean Kremer pitched six innings without allowing the Reds to score, while Anthony Santander hit a grand slam, helping the Baltimore Orioles sweep the Cincinnati Reds with an 11-1 win on Sunday.
Jordan Westburg hit a two-run home run, and Ryan McKenna added a solo shot for the Orioles, who have now won four games in a row and six of their last seven.
Kremer, with a record of 3-2, didn’t allow the Reds to get a hit until Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled in the fifth inning. He struck out six batters.
“Our pitching staff when we put it together is really good,” Kremer said. “I just wanted to follow suit, like our other starters. Pitch to our strengths and attack these guys.”
The Orioles’ starting pitchers performed excellently throughout the series. Cole Irvin threw six shutout innings on Friday, and John Means held the Reds scoreless through seven innings on Saturday.
“Guys see what the guy does the night before and you want to match it,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “Right down the line, we’ve been doing that so far.”
Meanwhile, the Reds struggled offensively, scoring only two runs in the last 36 innings played at Great American Ball Park. Their team batting average of .209 is the lowest in the major leagues.
“It’s the nature of the game,” Reds outfielder Jake Fraley said. “Their guys are throwing really well. We’re going up there and trying to give it everything we’ve got. Tip your cap to those guys. They are at the top of the AL East for a reason.”
The Orioles took an early lead with a two-out rally in the first inning. After Nick Lodolo retired the first two batters, Ryan Mountcastle doubled and scored on Santander’s single. Westburg then hit a two-run homer, making it 3-0.
Adley Rutschman doubled to drive in the Orioles’ fourth run in the fifth inning, and McKenna’s solo homer in the seventh extended their lead to 5-0.
