Baltimore washes White Sox in series opener, 7-5

Pedro Alvarez hit two homers, and Yovani Gallardo was effective on the mound for Baltimore in a 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Alvarez (.262/.317/.540, 18 HR, 38 RBI) went deep with solo shots in the second and eighth. Manny Machado (.305/.365/.540, 22 HR, 60 RBI) and Adam Jones (.269/.314/.456, 21 HR, 64 RBI) each had three hits for the O’s (62-46), who remain tied atop the AL East with Toronto (63-47).

Gallardo (4-3, 5.47 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) gave up two runs on seven hits in six innings, striking out three and walking one.

Zach Britton (34 saves, 0.58 ERA, 0.75 WHIP) struck out the side in a 1-2-3 ninth to notch the save.

Darren O’Day (3 saves, 10 holds, 3.46 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) was touched up for three runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning as the White Sox (52-57) mounted a late rally.