Corbin Burnes pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just two hits, while Ramón Urías and Anthony Santander hit home runs to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 6-2 victory over the shorthanded Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
The Orioles took a 4-0 lead in the third inning and moved to 6-6 since the All-Star break, keeping their spot at the top of the AL East.
Burnes allowed two runs and four hits, striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings. Despite the Orioles adding pitchers Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers before the trade deadline, Burnes (11-4, 2.47 ERA) continues to be the team’s main pitcher.
“He’s so consistent. He’s hard to hit because his pitches move a lot, and he throws in the upper 90s with a great curveball and changeup,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “That’s what he does almost every time. He’s our top pitcher.”
The four-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young Award winner has pitched at least six innings in 17 consecutive starts, allowed three runs or fewer in 21 of 22 games, and is set for his fourth straight season with over 200 strikeouts.
While the Orioles worked to strengthen their team for the playoffs, the Blue Jays, who are in last place, focused on future deals.
Toronto traded infielder Justin Turner and reliever Yusei Kikuchi on Monday, then sent reliever Trevor Richards, infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier to other teams just before the deadline on Tuesday.
Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt (8-10) gave up five runs and nine hits in four innings, including a solo home run by Urías and a two-run single by Ryan O’Hearn in the third inning.
Urías added an RBI single in the fourth, and Santander hit his 31st home run in the fifth off Brendon Little, giving the Orioles a 6-1 lead.
Santander’s home run hit the top of the seating area for groundskeepers, evading an awkward catch attempt by right fielder Addison Barger.
