Did Wright take a step forward last night? (Plus Schoop on the power)

The Orioles have lost four of their last five games since their 7-0 start. They were 5-0 at home this year and 10-0 at home since the second game of a doubleheader last Sept. 30 until last night's loss to Toronto.

On the plus side, O's starting pitchers have now gone exactly six innings three straight games. O's starters went six innings or more just once in the first nine games. Ubaldo Jimenez, who went seven innings in his first start on April 7, is the only O's starter to pitch seven or more this year. Last night was just the second quality start this year from the Orioles rotation.

With Kevin Gausman pitching tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, someone soon will lose a rotation spot to Gausman. Mike Wright said after last night's game that Gausman's return is good for the team, this coming from a player who could potentially lose his spot to the right-hander.

"We're trying to win games," Wright said. "With Kevin coming back, that is only a positive. I think I am giving my team a chance to win. If a move has to be made, it has to be made. But I think we are all out here trying to win."

A mature answer from Wright, a player starting to show some growth and maturity on the mound. Wright, who pitched to a 9.45 ERA last year against Toronto, gave up three runs in three innings against the Blue Jays last night. But then he put up three zeroes on one hit through the sixth to keep his team in the game.

"He made some pitches when he needed to," catcher Matt Wieters said. "It was big for him. He's able to get through some games without his best stuff and that is big for him to take the next step forward. He really had to pitch tonight."

It was clear both Wright and Wieters felt the right-hander took a step forward on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the Orioles hit two more homers last night and have hit 10 in their last three games.

"It is fun to be in the lineup and a part of this team," second baseman Jonathan Schoop said. "From one to nine, we can hit the ball a long way, and so far, it's been fun and hope we keep it up."

In 2015, the Blue Jays were after the Orioles, who were the defending American League East division champs. Now the O's are chasing Toronto as the defending division champs in the East.

"Every year is a new year and you want to be better," Schoop said. "I want to be a better player and as a team we want to be better. We lost last year and this year we want to get it (the division title) back and show we can do it."

The Orioles were held to a season-low seven hits last night and held to three runs or less for the fourth time in 2016. On the mound tonight, Jimenez (1-1, 3.75 ERA) faces knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (1-2, 6.75 ERA).

While the O's pitchers worked to an ERA of 5.84 last season against Toronto, Jimenez went 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over four starts versus Toronto. Meanwhile, Dickey has struggled this year, pitching just five, five and 4 2/3 innings in his first three starts. He's allowed 20 hits in 14 2/3 innings and walked eight with 15 strikeouts.

On the farm: Triple-A Norfolk was struggling at times on offense, scoring 31 runs in its first 11 games. But last night the Tides had 21 hits in a 20-4 win at Charlotte. The top three in their order - L.J. Hoes, Christian Walker and Henry Urrutia - went a combined 9-for-17 with eight runs scored and six RBIs. Walker went 3-for-7 with a double, homer and four RBIs. Sharlon Schoop drove in four runs and catcher Audry Perez went 4-for-5 with a homer, four runs and three RBIs.

Eight different Tides recorded multiple hits, while five different Norfolk batters registered multiple RBIs. The 20 runs were three runs shy of the franchise record of 23, while Norfolk's 21 hits were just two hits shy of the franchise mark of 23.

Double-A Bowie's bats are heating up. The Baysox won 6-2 at Erie and have scored 34 runs during a four-game win streak. All six runs were scored with two outs. Mike Yastrzemski, Corban Joseph and Chance Sisco had two hits each for the 5-7 Baysox.

Single-A Frederick lost 6-1 to Wilmington. The Keys went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on base. Frederick outfielder Jay Gonzalez is 8-for-16 his last four games. He is now 10-for-10 stealing bases on the year and has a steal in four straight games.

Single-A Delmarva won 3-1 at home against Greensboro. Left-hander Brian Gonzalez gave up one run and four hits over five innings to get the win. Garrett Cleavinger then pitched three scoreless with five strikeouts. Christian Turnipseed got the last three outs to record his fourth save.