Chicago gets five in fifth off Ubaldo Jimenez to split four-game series

To beat a top pitcher like Chris Sale today, the Orioles would likely need a very strong outing from their starting pitcher. For a few innings today, Ubaldo Jimenez was indeed holding the White Sox at bay. But then they scored five runs in an ugly fifth for the right-hander.

Chicago went on to beat the Orioles 7-1 today at Camden Yards to split this four-game series between American League division leaders. The Orioles fall to 14-10 overall and 9-3 at home.

Jimenez pulled off an escape act in the top of the second. He got out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam, getting a strikeout and double play ball. But Brett Lawrie homered for the third game in a row and Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Lawrie hit No. 4 on a 1-2 pitch.

The floodgates opened for Chicago during a five-run fifth that featured five hits, two hit batters and a walk. A fielder's choice by Carlos Sanchez scored a run for a 2-0 lead. Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera had RBI singles for a 4-0 edge. Jerry Sands' two-run bloop single ended Jimenez's day and made it 6-0.

Jimenez allowed a season-high six runs in his shortest start of the year. Over 4 2/3 innings, he gave up seven hits, walked four, hit two and threw a wild pitch. He threw 84 pitches, 50 for strikes, and falls to 1-3 with an ERA of 5.20.

Coming into the game, O's starting pitchers had worked to an ERA of 2.62 over the last six games, allowing two earned runs or less five times. Vance Worley replaced Jimenez and gave the Orioles 3 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts to help preserve the bullpen.

O's shortstop J.J. Hardy left today's game after five innings. He fouled a ball off his left foot and exited after going 0-for-1 with a walk.

The Orioles had some early chances, but could not cash in against Sale. They stranded seven runners and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position in the first five innings. But they got his pitch count and Sale exited after 5 1/3 innings. When Nolan Reimold came up with an RBI single in the sixth off Jake Petricka, the run was charged to Sale's record.

Still, the left-hander improved to 6-0 for the first time in his career, despite his shortest outing of 2016. Sale is 6-0 with an ERA of 1.66. Over his past four starts, he is 4-0 with an ERA of 0.61, allowing just two earned runs in 29 1/3 innings.

The Orioles take Monday off and welcome the Yankees to town Tuesday for a three-game series, with Chris Tillman (2-1, 3.24 ERA) facing right-hander Luis Severino (0-3, 6.86 ERA).