BALTIMORE -- Even in his best start of the year, Cubs right-hander Adrian Sampson needed some extra help to record his first win of 2022. It came in the fifth inning, in the form of his own glove.

Sampson coupled 5 2/3 scoreless frames with a spectacular play to nab the Orioles’ potential icebreaking run at the plate, setting the stage for the Cubs’ 3-2 victory over the Orioles on Thursday afternoon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

As the Orioles batted in the 5th, with one out and Austin Hays on third base in a scoreless game, Jorge Mateo dropped a squeeze bunt down the first-base line. With no other defender in position to make the play, Sampson sprinted in and made a desperate -- but perfect -- glove flip to Willson Contreras, who applied the tag for the out.

“It was huge, especially when it’s a zero-zero ballgame,” Sampson said. “Just keeping your guys in the game and then being able to bounce back after the play. Your adrenaline kind of kicks in after that.”

The Orioles challenged the play at the plate, but the call stood after a review.

“Luckily … I had some time to kind of chill out with the check of the replay and stuff. I couldn’t feel my legs for a little bit,” Sampson admitted. “The adrenaline was pumping so hard that you just kind of get jello-legged. But luckily I was able to bounce back and make some pitches after that.”

Sampson (1-3) struck out a season-high-tying six batters while allowing four hits and two walks in his only scoreless outing of five innings or more this year, helping the Cubs to a third-straight win.

It was his first victory since Sept. 14, 2021, a more than 11-month drought that does not reflect his recent consistency as a starter. Sampson's 3.51 ERA would have a place in almost every MLB rotation. Although he’s only completed six innings twice, he’s allowed two runs or fewer in five innings or more on five occasions.

“He’s had a long year, he’s pitched really well and that’s his first win of the year. Just the road he’s taken, he’s got to be happy about that,” said Cubs manager David Ross. “I think we’re happy for him.”

“Wins will come no matter what,” Sampson said. “My job is to keep our guys in the game, and then eventually we will score some runs, which we did today.”

Contreras belted his 18th and 19th home runs, breaking a scoreless tie off O’s starter Spenser Watkins in the sixth before adding a precious insurance run off reliever Joey Krehbiel in the eighth.

Rafael Ortega also homered off Krehbiel as Chicago closed a seven-game, three-city road trip with five victories. The Cubs technically salvaged a two-game series split with the AL Wild-Card-chasing Orioles, as the game was a makeup of a June 8 rainout.

“I was thankful that I was able to hit a second homer. That was the difference right there,” Contreras said.

Sean Newcomb struck out pinch-hitter Ryan McKenna to strand two in the sixth, and Erich Uelmen escaped with a 3-2 lead after allowing two inherited runners to score in the bottom of the eighth. It took a second play at the plate to hold the lead, this time with third baseman Zach McKinstry nabbing Ryan Mountcastle for the second out.

Brandon Hughes pitched a scoreless ninth for his first big league save, escaping a mild jam when Cedric Mullins softly lined into a game-ending double play.

“We gave them a chance to get back in that thing,” Ross said. “But the guys kept their composure. It was a nice win.”