Bob Haynie: Road Trip A Dud For The Orioles
After starting their second road trek of the season by winning two of the first three games at Fenway Park, the Baltimore Orioles had the trip end in disappointing fashion as they dropped four-straight to finish it at 2-5.
The Orioles handled the Red Sox last Saturday and Sunday in Boston and were looking to make it three-straight on Patriots Day. They lost that rain-shortened game 7-1 and then hit the road for three games against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
It did not go well. Baltimore was swept in Toronto for the first time since 2013.
It was also not a trip to write home about for the starting pitchers. Not one Oriole starter made it through six full innings during the entire seven-game getaway.
Through 16 games, Baltimore's starting rotation has posted a 5.82 ERA which is the worst in all of MLB. During the four-game losing streak, they have recorded more walks (16) than strikeouts (14).
Time to worry?
As I see it, not yet. But things do need to get significantly better with the pitching. The entire staff ERA is 5.15, which is also the worst in MLB.
The offense has been ok, at times. The Orioles are tied for the league lead in home runs with 22 and rank 8th in runs scored with 76. CF Adam Jones has been great as he leads the AL in batting average (.424) heading into this weekend's series with the Red Sox at Camden Yards.
3B Manny Machado blasted two HR's in the series finale against the Blue Jays and is seven for his last 17.
That's a good thing.
1B Chris Davis, however, continues to struggle with the strikeouts. Davis struck out four times in Toronto on Thursday night and has K'd 26 times in 56 at bats. Steve Pearce is also ice-cold as he is in a rough 4-for-42 slump.
The Orioles are 7-9 on the season. A record that they have earned, quite frankly.
A return home to cozy Camden Yards is just what they need to get out of their recent funk.
I hope.
Follow @1057TheFan
