CINCINNATI (AP) — Cole Irvin extended his scoreless streak to 20 2/3 innings, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Irvin (3-1) allowed two hits — both by Elly De La Cruz — through 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked none.
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CINCINNATI (AP) — Cole Irvin extended his scoreless streak to 20 2/3 innings, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
A tarp covers the field as it rains during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The tarp covers the field as it rains before the start of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fans wait in the rain during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fans wait in the rain during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cole Irvin throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fireworks explode above Great American Ball Park before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. The planned postgame fireworks were fired before the game because of a rain delay. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fireworks explode above the Great American Ball Park before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. The postgame fireworks were fired before the game because of the rain delay. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“He’s pitching with a ton of confidence right now,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “It’s confidence in what he’s throwing. Great pitch mix. Keeping guys off balance. He's pitching with conviction.”
Irvin hasn't allowed a run since the fourth inning on April 15 against Minnesota.
“Just trying to keep the ball down and execute pitches as best I can,” Irvin said. “Thinking about tonight's outing and these last few outings, I'm just so blessed. Just trying to be as consistent as I can.”
Irvin allowed De La Cruz’s leadoff double in the seventh, and then struck out Spencer Steer looking before he was pulled by Hyde. The left-hander threw 72 pitches, 50 for strikes, and he said he had plenty left when he departed.
“I had Yennier Cano down there, the middle of the order (coming up), and that was our best option,” Hyde said.
Cano got two outs and Danny Coulombe worked the eighth. Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his 11th save.
Ryan O’Hearn homered for Baltimore, which won for the fourth time in five games.
The start of the game was delayed two hours and 41 minutes by rain.
Reds starter Hunter Greene struggled coming out of the delay. Jake Fraley threw out Gunnar Henderson trying to stretch a leadoff single into a double, and the Orioles failed to score in the first despite two hits and a walk.
Greene, who has tossed 14 straight scoreless innings, didn't allow another hit until the fifth. The right-hander walked four and committed a balk in 5 2/3 innings.
Irvin, making his sixth start of the season, retired 17 in a row after De La Cruz singled with one out in the first. Irvin recorded 11 groundball outs through six innings, especially important in homer-friendly Great American Ball Park.
“I would really like groundballs to be a more consistent part of my game,” Irvin said. “The only thing I can control is how I command the baseball. This ballpark is definitely small. Pitchers can come in here and think about it a little bit. I've had some success here.”
The Orioles broke through in the seventh against Emilio Pagán (2-2).
Jorge Mateo led off with a single, stole second and scored on Adley Rutschman's double. O'Hearn followed with a two-run homer.
“Irvin threw a lot of curveballs," Reds manager David Bell said. "He was able to keep us honest inside with his fastball. Both starting pitchers today after a long rain delay was pretty much the story of the game. They came out on top.”
TRAINERS ROOM
Orioles: OF Austin Hays (left calf strain) will work out with Double-A Bowie then begin a rehab assignment next week.
Reds: 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand and C Tyler Stephenson returned to the lineup after they both were hit on the hand by pitches on Saturday. ... RHP Frankie Montas (right arm contusion) is expected to start Tuesday in Arizona.
UP NEXT
Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (1-3, 3.27 ERA) will make his seventh start of the season on Saturday. Orioles left-hander John Means takes the mound after beginning the season on the IL with a left forearm strain.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Fans wait in the rain during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A tarp covers the field as it rains during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The tarp covers the field as it rains before the start of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fans wait in the rain during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fans wait in the rain during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cole Irvin throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fireworks explode above Great American Ball Park before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. The planned postgame fireworks were fired before the game because of a rain delay. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fireworks explode above the Great American Ball Park before a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Cincinnati. The postgame fireworks were fired before the game because of the rain delay. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
DENVER (AP) — Matt Duchene took off down the ice, slid on his knees and pumped his right glove.
That's what the video will show anyway. Because his big moment was pretty much a big blur. He just knows what it meant: The Dallas Stars are heading back to the Western Conference final.
Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime after being involved in a play that led to a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the first extra period, and the Stars advanced with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 on Friday night.
Duchene, a 2009 draft pick of the Avalanche, secured a loose puck in front of the net and sent it over a sprawled out Alexandar Georgiev to start the celebration. He was too exhausted, too caught up in the moment, to take it all in.
“Just elation,” Duchene said. "I was so tired, I started skating and then I got tired. I don’t even know what I did after that, to be honest with you. I was pretty pumped up.”
In the locker room after the game, the Stars celebrated by blaring an almost fitting tune — “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver.
Dallas advances to face either Edmonton or Vancouver next. It’s the second straight trip to the conference final for the Stars, who lost last season to eventual Stanley Cup champion Vegas. The Stars won their only Stanley Cup title in 1999.
“The dream's still alive,” Stars forward Joe Pavelski said.
Jamie Benn tied the score at 1:56 of the third period.
Mason Marchment thought he scored the winner with 7:29 left in the first overtime but it was waved off for goaltender interference. The play was reviewed and the call on the ice stood. Duchene was jostling with Cale Makar in front of Georgiev, leading to a call. The NHL’s situation room explained that Duchene impaired Georgiev’s ability to play his position in the crease.
“The explanation that I got was Dutchie’s (bottom) was over the line. His feet were outside but his (bottom) was over the line,” Marchment explained. “I think honestly, they didn’t want to make it a deciding goal. ... At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. We got the job done. It’s awesome.”
Jake Oettinger was stellar all night in making 29 saves. One of his biggest was a close-range shot from Artturi Lehkonen down low midway through the second OT.
“He was fabulous,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said of his goaltender.
This was a series in which the road team won five of six games, including the Stars taking all three in Denver. The Avalanche were the top home team in the regular season, while the Stars had the best road record.
It was a difficult end to what was a tumultuous postseason for Colorado, with Valeri Nichushkin suspended before Game 4 for violating terms of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
“A devastating result,” Makar said of the Game 6 loss. “The year being where we all feel like we have a team that with all of our pieces can make a push for the whole thing.”
Colorado scored the opening goal of the game for the first time in the series when Mikko Rantanen sent a wrist shot over Oettinger early in the second period on a power play.
Makar had an assist to give him 80 career playoff points in 72 games played. He’s the fifth defenseman in NHL history to amass 80 career postseason points in 80 or fewer games, joining Bobby Orr (66 games), Paul Coffey (67), Brian Leetch (70) and Al MacInnis (71).
Both teams were missing forwards, with Roope Hintz out for Dallas and Yakov Trenin for Colorado.
“We fought hard,” said Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, a Hart Trophy finalist who had four goals and 10 assists in the postseason run. “The effort was there the whole season.”
It's the end of hockey for Zach Parise, who's calling it a career. He was drafted by the New Jersey in 2003 and once played for DeBoer while both were with the Devils. They shared a moment after the game.
“I loved playing for him. He’s a world-class coach,” Parise said. “He’s the type of guy, now that we’re out, you cheer for him.”
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon reacts after Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene scored the winning goal in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, third from left, is congratulated after scoring the winning goal by, from left, right wing Evgenii Dadonov and centers Wyatt Johnston and Radek Faksa in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, left, celebrates after scoring the winning goal with defenseman Chris Tanev in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, front, celebrates scoring the winning goal as defensemen Esa Lindell, back left, and Chris Tanev look on in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, front, celebrates after scoring the winning goal as defensemen Esa Lindell, back left, and Chris Tanev look on in the second overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, left, pushes Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, center, against Colorado goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, left, has his shot blocked by Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the first overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, left, and Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn reach for the puck during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars left wings Jamie Benn, left, and Jason Robertson warm up before Game 6 of the team's NHL hockey playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, center, works for position in front of the net against Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell, right, as goaltender Jake Oettinger stops a shot during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen, left, congratulates right wing Mikko Rantanen for a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, left, tries to knock the puck away from Colorado Avalanche right wing Brandon Duhaime during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Andrew Cogliano stumbles next to Dallas Stars center Craig Smith during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger makes a glove save against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen, right, is congratulated for a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene, front, pursues the puck, in front of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey playoff series Friday, May 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
