masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIf you told Orioles manager Buck Showalter before tonight’s game that he’d get five innings of two-run ball out of starter Ubaldo Jimenez, he probably would have signed up for it in blood, to borrow one of his favorite expressions.

Jimenez threw 30 pitches in the first inning and 30 more in the second. He faced 12 batters in two innings and issued four walks, but the Blue Jays scored only the two runs off him.

Jimenez, making his first start since Aug. 16, retired the last 10 batters that…If you told Orioles manager Buck Showalter before tonight’s game that he’d get five innings of two-run ball out of starter Ubaldo Jimenez, he probably would have signed up for it in blood, to borrow one of his favorite expressions.

jimenez-pitching-white-sidebar (1).pngJimenez threw 30 pitches in the first inning and 30 more in the second. He faced 12 batters in two innings and issued four walks, but the Blue Jays scored only the two runs off him.

Jimenez, making his first start since Aug. 16, retired the last 10 batters that he faced. He walked off the mound with a chance to get the win, his first since Aug. 9.

Jimenez allowed two runs and two hits, walked four and struck out six. He threw 97 pitches, 56 for strikes.

T.J. McFarland replaced Jimenez, who hadn’t allowed two earned runs or fewer in a start since June 30 against the Rangers, and stranded a runner to hold the 4-2 lead.

Time to pass the baton in the bullpen. Andrew Miller is available. Darren O’Day is available. Closer Zach Britton is available.

Nine more outs.

Update: Alejandro De Aza hit a bases-loaded triple in the seventh to increase the lead to 7-2.

Aaron Loup drilled Nick Markakis behind the right shoulder to load the bases after replacing Hutchison. , and De Aza made him pay.

Darren O’Day hit Jose Bautista leading off the eighth, and plate umpire Chad Fairchild warned both benches. O’Day struck out Edwin Encarnacion, and Showalter summoned Andrew Miller.