Cards jump out in front, fend off O’s to halt 5-game skid

Rookie Blaze Jordan blasted a three-run home run before leaving with an injury, and right-hander Gordon Graceffo tossed three perfect innings in a spot start Thursday afternoon, helping the St. Louis Cardinals snap a five-game skid with a 7-5 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

Former Orioles infielder Ramon Urias hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals, who averted a three-game sweep after starting the day six games behind the final NL wild-card spot.

Jordan's home run came against starter Trevor Rogers in the second inning, giving the Cards a 3-0 lead. Jordan had to be assisted off the field in the eighth after making a defensive play; he appeared to jam his ankle on the third base bag.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol used Graceffo due to injuries to multiple starting pitchers. The righty struck out four in his longest appearance this season.

Luis Gastelum (4-3), one of five relievers used by St. Louis, was credited with the victory after striking out two over 1 1/3 perfect innings.

Riley O'Brien recorded his 34th save, inducing Leody Taveras to ground out as the potential tying run in the ninth. O'Brien had struggled in recent appearances.

Urias, who played parts of six seasons for the Orioles and came in batting .152, went deep in the fourth for a 5-0 lead. With his team down five in the seventh, Coby Mayo hit a three-run homer to bring the Orioles closer.

Gunnar Henderson lined an RBI double to left-center to bring the Orioles within 6-5 in the eighth, but George Soriano threw out Henderson at third after fielding a grounder back to the mound. Jordan made an off-balance catch and tag for the out, but left the game before the next batter. Nolan Gorman replaced Jordan at third.

Nathan Church's RBI single in the eighth added insurance for the Cardinals, who continue their homestand Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game set.

The Orioles started the day 2 1/2 games behind the third AL wild-card spot. Baltimore's nine-game road trip makes its next stop Friday against the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in West Sacramento, Calif.

Rogers (9-9) endured his worst outing since May, allowing six runs, seven hits and a walk to go with seven strikeouts over five innings. He was 7-2 with a 2.57 ERA over his previous 14 starts.

--Field Level Media