Losing streak reaches five as Lance McCullers pitches four-hitter

The Houston Astros do what they do. They struck out a lot and hit home runs. Lately what they do includes beating the Baltimore Orioles.

Rookie right-hander Lance McCullers pitched a complete-game four-hitter and Houston hit three solo homers to top Miguel Gonzalez and the Orioles 3-1 tonight at Minute Maid Park.

With their fifth loss in a row, the Orioles fall to 23-29 on the year and to a season-worst six games under the .500 mark. They are now five games out of first place.

The 21-year-old McCullers, in just his fourth major league start, retired 15 consecutive Orioles until Adam Jones singled with two outs in the ninth. But on his 107th pitch, McCullers fanned Chris Davis to end the game. He walked none and struck out 11 and was still throwing in the mid 90s in the ninth inning. He is now 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA.

The Orioles have scored two runs or less in 13 of their past 24 games.

Chris Carter backed McCullers with two solo homers, and George Springer hit one as well. Carter hit No. 9 in the second inning and No. 10 in the fifth, both off Gonzalez. Springer hit No. 8 in the sixth inning to provide a 3-1 lead.

Gonzalez gave up four hits and three runs, all on the homers, over 6 2/3 innings to fall to 5-4 with an ERA of 3.54. The three homers he allowed matched a career high. It was the third time he gave up three in one outing and first time since April 18, 2013 versus Tampa Bay.

The Orioles scored in the fourth to tie the game 1-1. Manny Machado tripled with one out and scored on a two-out single by Delmon Young, who is now 12-for-30 (.400) batting with runners in scoring position.

While Houston improved to 4-2 against the Orioles and to 34-20 for the season, the Orioles fall to 8-17 in road games, and have lost 10 of their last 12 away from Camden Yards.

In the series finale on Thursday afternoon, Wei-Yin Chen (1-4, 3.21 ERA) faces league ERA leader Dallas Keuchel (7-1, 1.76 ERA).