Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, July 24, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. | The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays are teams currently heading in different directions.

Kevin Gausman pitched six strong innings, Adam Jones homered and the Orioles sent the Rays to their season-worst fifth straight loss, 5-0 Monday night.

“It all feeds off the starting pitching,” Jones said.

The Rays began the day tied for the second AL wild-card spot. Baltimore won for the sixth time in eight games.

“It’s all about how we finish as a team,” Gausman said.

Gausman (7-7) gave up five hits and struck out eight. He has permitted seven hits over 13 scoreless innings in two starts this season against Tampa Bay.

The right-hander is 4-1 in his last seven starts.

“Kevin was throwing strikes, and working with some tempo and command,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Darren O’Day, Brad Brach and Richard Bleier completed the six-hitter.

Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor and photographer with Sentinel Colorado. A Denver East High School and University of Colorado alum. He came to the Sentinel in 2001 and since then has received a number...