Mike Flanagan outdueled Larry Gura as Baltimore defeated the Royals, 2-1, on a frigid Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.

With game-time temperatures in the mid-40s and two tough lefthanders on the mound, both teams knew runs would be at a premium. And both pitchers lived up to expectations, as each pitched a complete game. Gura allowed seven hits and four walks while striking out one, and Flanagan allowed seven hits and one walk while picking up four strikeouts.

Gura stranded three runners in the first and had retired six straight when Ken Singleton homered to give Baltimore a 1-0 lead. Flanagan struck out Bob Detherage to end the second with two men on and kept Kansas City off the board until the sixth, when the Royals manufactured a run. Frank White singled with one out, and stole second with two outs; he took off for second when Flanagan attempted a pickoff. Hal McRae singled and White scored to tie the game.

But Gura ran into more trouble in the seventh. Rick Dempsey led off with a single and took second on a sacrifice bunt. After Al Bumbry reached on an infield single, Rich Dauer singled to Baltimore back on top. Although Gura retired Singleton and Eddie Murray to end the inning, the damage was done.

The Royals did have one more chance to tie the game or even take the lead. In the eighth, Willie Wilson singled with one out and White followed with another single. But George Brett flied out and McRae grounded out to stifle the threat. Flanagan then set the Royals down in order in the ninth to seal the win.

George Brett watch: 0-4. Season stats: .227/.292/.364

Box score and play-by-play: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL198004160.shtml

Today’s birthdays: Curt Young (1960), Justin Huisman (1979)