Gausman ineffective as Orioles dump Jays to salvage series split

TORONTO — The Baltimore Orioles chased starter Kevin Gausman early in the game and used a six-run third inning to power their way to a 10-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon.

It was the shortest outing of the season for Gausman, who lasted 2 1/3 innings against his former team. Cedric Mullins had three of Baltimore's 13 hits and Austin Hays homered as the Orioles (28-37) salvaged a split of the four-game series.

It was just the sixth loss in 21 games for the Blue Jays (37-26), who were stifled by Baltimore starter Tyler Wells (4-4) over his solid six-inning appearance.

Teoscar Hernandez hit his fifth homer of the season for Toronto. The Blue Jays had eight hits on the day.

Gausman (5-6) never really found a rhythm and seemed uncomfortable with some of the baseballs in the first inning. He rejected a few that were tossed to him and had a conversation with crew chief Paul Emmel during and after the frame.

The Orioles scratched out an early run after Mullins led off with a single, moved to third on an infield single and scored when Toronto couldn't turn a double-play in time on an Adley Rutschman grounder.

After striking out a pair in the second inning, Gausman struggled mightily in the third. An error by Santiago Espinal led to two unearned runs and a Rougned Odor sacrifice fly was sandwiched by four hits, including three hard-hit doubles.

Reliever David Phelps also gave up an RBI single as the Orioles batted around in the inning. Gausman, who spent parts of six seasons with Baltimore, allowed seven hits, five earned runs, a walk and had three strikeouts.

Wells, meanwhile, allowed five hits, one earned run, one walk and struck out three. The 429-foot Hernandez solo shot was his only real