HOUSTON — The second batter who faced Orioles rookie right-hander Kyle Bradish on Friday night was hit by a pitch. One offering later, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez smoked a line drive to the right side, but first baseman Ryan Mountcastle snared it with a dive, doubling up Yuli Gurriel.
It showed how difficult hits would be to come by off Bradish, who allowed only two in eight innings as the Orioles opened a series against the American League-best Astros with a 2-0 victory at Minute Maid Park.
Entering Friday, the Orioles (66-59) had been one of four major league teams without a start of eight innings this year. Outside of John Means’ no-hitter last May, a Baltimore starter had not pitched more than 7 1/3 innings in manager Brandon Hyde’s four seasons.
