Machado and Davis in dueling slumps (O's lose 5-0)

Manny Machado's average has dipped below .300 for the first time since April 27 after going hitless in his first three at-bats today. It's down to .298 after he lined to Boston shortstop Stephen Drew to strand two runners in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Orioles' third baseman is 3-for-27 in his last seven games, though he's homered twice, and 9-for-57 in his last 14. And he's still looking for his first double since July 6. Machado slammed his bat to the ground after lining to Drew. He did not, however, destroy the dugout phone or the toilet. First baseman Chris Davis has struck out in both trips to the plate today. He's 8-for-37 with 19 strikeouts in his last 10 games. Davis has struck out in 22 straight games, the longest streak in the majors. He has 38 strikeouts in 79 at-bats over that span. The Orioles are being shut out today by Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester, who's allowed three hits in five innings - singles by Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Taylor Teagarden. Jason Hammel is struggling enough that left-hander T.J. McFarland began to warm up in the top of the fifth. Hammel keeps falling behind hitters and has walked a season-high five batters. David Ortiz is rubbing salt in the wound, going 3-for-3 today with a two-run homer. Hammel has thrown 89 pitches in five innings. He walked two batters in the fifth, but was aided by a caught stealing and a 5-4-3 double play from Mike Napoli. Hammel has walked nine batters in his last two starts. Update: McFarland replaced Hammel after Jarrod Saltalamacchia's one-out double in the sixth. McFarland had allowed 11 of 17 inherited runners to score before Drew lined into a double play. Hammel allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings, with a season-high five walks, three strikeouts and one home run. He threw 97 pitches, 52 for strikes, and remains winless since May 27. Manager Buck Showalter will point out how the Orioles didn't score enough runs. True enough. But Hammel will rip himself, as he's done pretty much after every start. The Orioles had runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the sixth after an error and Jones single. Matt Wieters struck out on a pitch around his eyes, and J.J. Hardy grounded into a double play. Another wasted opportunity. Update II: Saltalamacchia's bases-loaded, two-run single off McFarland in the eighth increased Boston's lead to 5-0. Pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes was walked intentionally to load the bases with one out. Update III: Game over. Orioles lose 5-0. Davis' strikeouts in 22 straight games ties Austin Jackson's for the longest streak this season. It's also an Orioles record. Mark Reynolds struck out in 21 straight last season.



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