Cobb sharp, Orioles end 7-game skid by beating Mets 2-1

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NEW YORK (AP) This is what the Baltimore Orioles were counting on when they added Alex Cobb.

Cobb delivered his best performance since signing a rich contract late in spring training, helping the Orioles break a seven-game losing streak by beating the New York Mets 2-1 Tuesday night.

''That was fun,'' manager Buck Showalter said. ''Been waiting for that one.''

The Orioles ended a skid that matched their longest of the season and posted their first win at Citi Field. Baltimore hadn't topped the Mets on the road since 2006 at Shea Stadium.

The Mets lost their fifth in a row. New York has dropped seven straight at Citi Field, its worst home slump since an eight-game slide in 2013.

Cobb (2-7) gave up one run and two hits in six innings, striking out seven and walking one.

The right-hander began the game with a 6.80 ERA, hardly what the Orioles envisioned when they gave the former Tampa Bay pitcher a $57 million, four-year deal.

''Today got me knowing I was on the right path,'' Cobb said.

Cobb said he never felt he had to live up to the big deal, but acknowledged his rugged start was frustrating. He said it was natural to feel some pressure to show ''the front office they made the right decision.''

Cobb held the Mets hitless until Jay Bruce led off the fifth with a single. The Mets later ended a 21-inning scoreless string on pinch-hitter Jose Bautista's sacrifice fly.

''We've seen bits and pieces. We all know what he's capable of,'' Showalter said.

Baltimore reliever Richard Bleier got Asdrubal Cabrera to ground into a double play with two on to end the eighth. Brad Brach worked the ninth for his ninth save in 10 chances, completing the combined three-hitter.

The Mets have managed only seven runs in their last five games. Held to three hits in consecutive games, New York has lost 12 of 15 overall.

''From the last whatever, five, six, seven games, there's really only one way to go and that's up,'' said Bruce, who had two hits. ''Like I've said before, there's no magic potion.''

The Orioles, with the worst record in the majors at 18-41, scored two quick runs against Jason Vargas (2-4). Trey Mancini, Adam Jones and Manny Machado opened the game with singles for a 1-0 lead, and Danny Valencia added a sacrifice fly.

WELCOME

The nerves never left Orioles catcher Austin Wynns, who made his major league debut. He got off to a fast start, hitting a solid single his first time up.

''I just took it in, deep breath, and I was like, `Wow,''' he said. ''That was the feeling. Words couldn't even describe it. It was just like a weight off of my shoulders, too.''

The 27-year-old Wynns, a college teammate of Yankees star Aaron Judge at Fresno State, went 1 for 3.

''As soon as that ninth inning came around and we won, I was just like, `Ah, thank you,''' Wynns said. ''That's when it was over, but I had it the whole game.''

BAD MEMORIES

The Orioles had been 0-5 at Citi Field. Baltimore is 12-26 overall against the Mets, including a five-game loss in the 1969 World Series.

AND HE'S OFF ...

Bob Baffert, trainer of Triple Crown hopeful Justify, threw out the first ball. Wearing a Mets jersey, he made a high toss home. The draw for post positions for Saturday's Belmont Stakes was held hours earlier at Citi Field.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Orioles: RHP Darren O'Day (elbow) walked three while getting just two outs for Class A Frederick in his first rehab appearance. There was a chance he could be activated this weekend.

Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (strained ligament, right index finger) threw a simulated game from the mound. If he's OK, he could start Sunday night at home against the Yankees. Yoenis Cespedes (hip flexor) was one of the hitters Syndergaard faced. ... 3B Todd Frazier (hamstring) and RHP Anthony Swarzak (oblique) were activated from the disabled list. Frazier, who'd been out since May 8, batted cleanup and went 0 for 4. ''He rejuvenated the dugout,'' manager Mickey Callaway said. ''He's a high-energy guy, brings enthusiasm there. It's good to have him back.'' Swarzak worked a hitless ninth in his first game since March 31.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Dylan Bundy (3-7, 4.46 ERA) has struck out 20 with one walk in his last two starts, a win over the White Sox and a loss to Washington.

Mets: RHP Zack Wheeler (2-4, 5.14) is 3-4 with a 6.26 ERA in 11 interleague starts. He will face the O's for the first time.

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AP Sports Writer Terrin Waack contributed to this report.

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