9 Run Hole Kills O’s

The Birds looked to snap a 3 game losing streak tonight against the Oakland Athletics at 9 PM on the west coast. The Orioles haven’t won since their 1-0 defeat of the Mariners on Monday.

Baltimore walked into today’s game hitting .212 over their past 6 games and had were 5-19 in their past 24 road games.

Nick Markakis batted 2nd, he was hitting just .195 since May 14. Jones hit 3rd, Scott brought his 8 homers in 9 games to the 4 hole. Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters were on the bench as Felix Pie and Gregg Zaun made starts in their respected positions.

But lineup changes don’t help you when you give up 5 runs in 3 innings. Jason Berken surrendered 2 walks in the 3rd and both scored when Jason Giambi hit a 2 out 3 RBI double. Then in the 4th the A’s added 3 more including another walk that crossed home and that ended Berken’s night.

David Hernandez relieved Berken after just 3.1 innings and made his first appearance out of the bullpen. Hernandez will most likely stay in the pen when Koji Uehara is activated. Hernandez pitched a solid 2.2 innings allowing only 4 hits, no runs, and 4 strike outs.

Felix Pie left the game in the third inning after he fouled a ball off the ground that hit him in the chin. Reimold filled in at left field and hit a 3 run homer to left in the 7th that made the score 9-4. Reimold and Scott have combined to hit 14 homeruns since May 20.

The O’s had a chance to make things interesting in the 8th with bases loaded and 2 outs, but Gregg Zaun struck out and stranded three. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis both had 2 hit nights but failed to hit when in the same inning.

George Sherrill, who hadn’t pitched since Monday’s win, came in to get some work. He put two on, but got 3 quick outs.

The O’s still fell 9-4 and have lost 6 of their last 7. They’ll try to salvage one tomorrow at 4 PM.