Gonzalez shakes off rust to help O's prevail

BOSTON -- Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez was just glad to be back on Thursday, but he ended up helping Baltimore on its way to an 8-6 win over the Red Sox that clinched a series victory at Fenway Park.

"I felt really good," said Gonzalez, who was on the disabled list with a groin injury. "I came out, threw five innings [during a rehab assignment] in [Double-A] Bowie and felt really good. My command was good. I felt today with two strikes I was around the zone a little too much, but that's a part of the game. I want to be out there and attack the zone."

Though he earned the win and lasted five-plus frames, Gonzalez will look to build on the 88-pitch outing, which saw him give up eight hits and four runs, notably a three-run homer by Alejandro De Aza in the fourth.

"I think there were probably a couple of offspeed pitches he wanted to bury more than he did, but I think overall, he threw well today, especially the first time throwing in 15-16 days," catcher Matt Wieters said. "It's good to get him back there on the mound."

Gonzalez improved to 6-4 with a 3.58 ERA on the season and used a wealth of offensive support to help the O's win their sixth consecutive series.

"Miguel, his first time out, he hung a breaking ball to Alejandro," manager Buck Showalter said. "He kept us engaged. He's capable of better. It's a good start back for him. He feels good physically. That's the good news."