The Baltimore Orioles (25-30 record) fell to the bottom of the American League East division after a rough week of baseball, losing four of six games played June 1-6. Baltimore was nearly swept in a four-game series in Houston by the Astros, and then split wins in the first two games of a three-game series against the Indians over the weekend in Cleveland.
Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones makes the catch and the out on Houston Astros’ George Springer in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
June 1-4: O’s Lose Three of Four in Houston
The Orioles led Houston, 2-1, at the end of the sixth inning in Game One on June 1. O’s pitcher Ubaldo Jiménez put on a decent start, allowing just four hits and one run with eight strikeouts through the first six innings of the game. But it all fell apart for the Birds in the seventh inning as Jiménez and relief pitcher Brad Brach combined to give up four runs to the Astros in the inning. Baltimore struggled offensively down the stretch of the game and Houston was able to pull away with a 5-2 win.
Baltimore lost Game Two, 6-4, after another bad offensive showing during the later innings of the game. After scoring four runs inthe second inning alone, Baltimore went scoreless through the remaining seven innings; the team finished with just seven hits total in the game. Starting pitcher Mike Wright wasn’t at his best, allowing eight hits and five earned runs through five innings. He gave up home runs to Astros’ Evan Gattis and Luis Valbuena.
The Orioles’ offensive struggles followed them into Game Three on June 3, as they recorded just four hits in a 3-1 loss in Houston. Astros starting pitcher Lance McCuller dominated the Orioles, allowing just one run and tossing 11 strikeouts as he pitched all nine innings of the game.
Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez had a decent outing, striking out eight batters with just four hits and three runs allowed as he lasted deep into the seventh inning. But three runs were all the Astros needed to beat the poor offensive performance by Baltimore.
Baltimore dodged the sweep with a 3-2 win over the Astros in Game Four on June 4, thanks mainly to clutch play from Adam Jones. The Orioles tied the score at 2-2 after Jones ran home on a single RBI from Steve Pearce in the eighth inning; Jones then crushed a home run later in the inning to give Baltimore the lead and victory.
Baltimore Orioles’ Delmon Young grounds out to first in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Wei-Yin Chen got the start at pitcher for the Orioles; he lasted into the seventh inning, giving up five hits and two runs with nine strikeouts. Relief pitcher Zach Britton closed out the game for his 14th save of the season.
June 5-6: Baltimore Splits First Two Games with Indians
Baltimore won its second straight game after a 5-2 win in Game One on June 5 in Cleveland. Jones came up big again for the Orioles with two hits and two RBI, including a home run – his eighth of the season. But it was O’s catcher Matt Wieters who stole the show as he made his first start in more than a year after suffering a major elbow injury that required “Tommy John” surgery. Wieters had two hits and two RBI in his return debut.
Chris Tillman started the game as pitcher for the Orioles and surrendered six hits and two runs in just over six innings pitched. Britton closed out the final inning for his 15th save of the season.
Unfortunately for the Orioles, their offensive woes returned for Game Two on June 6, as the birds lost the game, 2-1. Jiménez had a strong performance as starting pitcher for Baltimore, giving up just six hits and one run through the first five innings. But the solid pitching outing was negated by poor batting from the O’s on the offensive side. Manny Machado had two hits, including a home run for the Orioles. But the team finished with just six hits total and didn’t score a single run through the final six innings of the game.
Next: The Orioles will close out their series with Cleveland on Sunday, and then will return to Baltimore to host the Boston Red Sox in a three-game series June 9-11. Baltimore then hosts the New York Yankees for three games June 12-14.