O's game blog: Looking for a return to the win column

After a three-game win streak was snapped last night, the Orioles will try to start another one tonight in the finale of a two-game series and five-game homestand.

The Miami Marlins (44-57) had lost six of nine and 10 of 15 games coming into Tuesday's series opener, but they hit three homers in beating the Orioles 7-3 at Oriole Park. Catcher Sandy Leon's three-run homer in the second inning became the 110th to land on Eutaw Street - the 60th by an opponent - and gave Miami the early 3-0 lead.

The O's were not able to catch up. But they got a solo homers from Austin Hays (No. 10) and Cedric Mullins (No. 17). It was the fifth straight game in which the Orioles hit two or more homers. This is the Orioles' longest stretch of two-or-more-homer games since they recorded 10 in a row from July 17-27, 2019.

In this stretch, the Orioles have hit 11 homers, all solo shots. They have 12 home runs since the All-Star break, and they all have been solo shots. Their last homer with a runner on base was hit by Trey Mancini, a two-run shot on July 11 against the Chicago White Sox. It came in the ninth inning of the last game before the break.

For whatever reason, over many years, the Orioles have had their struggles against Miami. They are 9-28 in the all-time series and have lost seven in a row. They are 6-14 in Baltimore. The O's have lost five straight home games against the Marlins dating back to last season and are 3-11 against Miami at home dating back to 2006.

In addition to Leon's three-run shot last night, Miami got solo homers from Lewin Díaz and Brian Anderson. Marlins batters hit three or more home runs for the 10th time this season, and the second time in as many games. They recorded 15 hits for the fifth time and are 5-0 when recording 15 hits or more. Seven Marlins recorded two or more hits, one shy of their franchise record, and this was the first time at least seven different players recorded multiple hits in a game since July 26, 2017.

O's starting pitchers have thrown five innings or more in six of the previous seven games. But right-hander Spenser Watkins, who entered his outing with an ERA of 1.65, allowed nine hits and four runs over four innings, throwing 87 pitches. He is now 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA.

The Orioles (34-65) will play game No. 100 tonight. They are 6-4 since the All-Star break, now 16-31 in home games and 13-20 in series-opening games, including 6-10 in Baltimore.

Mancini had two doubles last night for his 28th multi-hit game, second-most on the team to Mullins with 31. Mancini is batting .405 (15-for-37) during a nine-game hitting streak and has six multi-hit games during this span. He also has at least one extra-base hit in five straight games, with four doubles and two home runs in this stretch.

Right-hander Conner Greene made his big league debut in last night's game, allowing two hits and one run over two innings. He became the 12th Oriole to debut this season, and that is the most in the majors. The O's club record for most debuts in a season is 15, set in 2018. Overall, the Orioles have used 48 different players (29 pitchers and 19 position players).

Infielder Ramón Urías has hit safely in 24 of 31 games since April 30, slashing .324/.389/.451 (33-for-102) with seven extra-base hits and 19 RBIs in this stretch.

On the mound tonight, O's right-hander Jorge López (2-12, 5.84 ERA) faces Miami right-hander Jordan Holloway (2-3, 3.21 ERA).