Thank goodness that the Orioles are out of Toronto.
However, the return home did not go as expected for Baltimore. They lost to the Cleveland Indians in the first contest of a four-game set on Monday, 5-2.
Zach Britton, who came through in his last start against the Tigers last week, seemed to have things under control against the Cleveland Indians for the first five innings. Baltimore was up 2-0 and they seemed to be on their way to yet another positive start from Britton. Then, the sixth inning came and went.
By the time the frame was over, Britton had given up three runs and the Indians took a 3-2 lead.
From there, the Indians scored twice in the eighth as the usually reliable Darren O’Day gave up a two-run shot to Michael Brantley – who drove in four runs on the night.
The Orioles have lost four straight games. They were not rattled by a six-game skid last month and I assume the Birds aren’t shaking with this stretch of losing.
The offense has done its fair share this season and has the bullpen; however, the big question is this: what about the starting pitching?
Once again, an Oriole starter could not make it out of the sixth inning. That’s fairly troubling. Freddy Garcia, who threw on Sunday, got lit up and was designated for assignment on Monday.
I’d assume that Garcia is not coming back to the organization.
Kevin Gausman was called up and is an arm in the bullpen now. Whether he starts again – more than likely, but when – is anyone’s guess.
As for the rest of the rotation, who knows what to expect from here. Miguel Gonzalez has been pretty strong in each of his outings as of late, Chris Tillman – while solid – can be hit or miss; Hammel is pretty mediocre and who knows if Britton will bring from here on out.
If the Orioles want to stay in a stacked American League East, but the pitching – especially the starters – also have to do what is needed from there.
It will be an interesting summer to see if the Orioles will go out on the market and find an arm; however, for now, it looks like they are going to see what they have within their system and go from there.
