Spencer Arrighetti outperformed Corbin Burnes, Ben Gamel drove in two runs in his debut with Houston, and the Astros increased their lead in the AL West to a season-high 5 1/2 games with a 6-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.
Arrighetti (6-11) allowed three hits in six innings, struck out six, and walked one. Burnes (12-6) gave up five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings, continuing a rough stretch for the Baltimore ace who had allowed a career-high eight runs in his previous start against Boston.
Houston has now won nine straight road games, its longest streak since an 11-game run in 2018.
Gamel, who was acquired off waivers from the New York Mets, hit RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings, the only innings in which Houston scored. The Astros have gone 62-39 since their 7-19 start and have built a strong lead over second-place Seattle in the AL West.
They were 10 games behind after a loss to the Chicago White Sox on June 18. The Orioles fell 1 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees.
Burnes allowed eight hits, all singles, which came in two key innings and were costly for the Orioles. Yordan Alvarez and Gamel had RBI singles in the fourth inning, and Gamel drove in another run in the sixth.
It was Gamel’s first multihit game since September 13, 2022, when he was with Pittsburgh.
“Bat-to-ball skills — they’ve always been there,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “He’s had some success against their starter.”
Jake Meyers’ bunt single made it 4-0, and an error by Burnes on the play left runners on second and third. Shay Whitcomb then added a two-run single to chase Burnes from the game.
