ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Kevin Gausman continued his resurgence, and the offense continued to score during one of the Orioles' more fulfilling wins of the season.

 

The right-hander produced his second straight quality start by limiting the Rays to five hits in six scoreless innings during the Orioles' 5-0 win before 15,187 at Tropicana Field July 24.

 

In Gausman's last two starts, he's given up one run on nine hits in 12 innings and recorded back-to-back wins for the second time this season. He's shut out Tampa Bay in 13 innings during his last two starts against them.

 

Four of Gausman's seven wins have come in his last six starts and his record is back to .500 at 7-7.

 

"To get to that point, I've had to kind of battle and brush off some really bad starts. I also had good starts," Gausman said. "If these guys give me a three-run lead, more often than not, I've kind of gone out and kind of given it right back. It's good to be able to kind of shut the door today."

 

Adam Jones hit his 19th home run of the year in the third inning. The center fielder had three hits following his four-hit performance July 23. Since moving to the leadoff spot July 14, Jones is batting .354 (17-for-48) with four homers and 11 RBIs.

 

"Just trying to get a good pitch and hit it," Jones said. "The more you think, the more you don't do. I'm just trying to get my body ready and my legs ready to hit and just try to put a good swing on the ball."

 

Since being swept by the Chicago Cubs July 14-16, the Orioles have gone 6-2.

 

"It all feeds off the starting pitching," Jones said. "When they go out there and they attack that zone and use our great defense, good things seem to happen. I just ride the wave. Baseball is a day-to-day game. So tomorrow, it's do exactly what we did today, come out aggressive and swing the bats."

 

The Orioles scored three runs in the eighth on a two-run single by third baseman Manny Machado, who started an impressive 5-4-3 double play in the first inning.

 

Machado backhanded Steven Souza Jr.'s grounder past third, and in foul ground rifled a throw to second where Jonathan Schoop high-stepped as he threw to first to complete the double play.

 

"I don't think there's any third baseman and second baseman that roll that double play the way that they did," Gausman said. "You feel really confident with those guys out there. Obviously, Manny's going to run down the line and try to get any ball that he can try to put a glove on. You always feel confident with those guys behind you."

 

Schoop, who earlier in the day was named the American League's Player of the Week for his .433 average and 16 RBIs from July 16-23, hit a sacrifice fly to left for the fourth run.

 

Schoop's post-All-Star Game run has impressed manager Buck Showalter.

 

"A lot of times when guys go to All-Star Games, you worry," Showalter said. "I've had a lot of experience with guys coming back from the All-Star Game and going through a little [down] period when they get back here, but Jon seems to be relishing it."

 

Schoop's 71 RBIs rank third in the AL behind Seattle designated hitter Nelson Cruz (75) and New York outfielder Aaron Judge (73).  

 

"That would catch most people in baseball by surprise -- except us," Showalter said.

 

"It's fun to win [awards]," Schoop said. "But, winning is more fun."

 

NOTES: First baseman Chris Davis was out because of illness. … Left-hander Wade Miley (4-8, 5.58) will face right-hander Jake Faria (4-1, 2.52) July 25.