Run totals low, but frustration levels high right now for Orioles and their fans

The way the Orioles offense is not performing right now it may be hard to remember, but in both April and June, this team averaged over five runs a game. That was for two entire months.

Yep, hard to remember that now.

I guess it is hard to look good losing at anytime, but the Orioles sure look bad doing it right now. In addition to the lack of runs lately, there have been some other issues. For one, suddenly it seems nightly that one or two balls are hit over the heads of Orioles outfielders.

But I digress. The Orioles offense has been brutal in recent games. Here are some of the numbers:

* The Orioles have a total of four runs on nine hits the last two games
* They have scored three runs or less in eight of their last nine games
* They have scored a total of 22 runs in their past 10 losses, scoring three or fewer each time.
* The Orioles have seven hits or less in six of their last eight games and in 12 of the past 18
* They hit five homers in Wednesday's win at Kansas City. But, in the other eight games since Aug. 20, they have hit three total home runs
* The Orioles have scored eight runs in their four losses on this current road trip

With eight losses in nine games, the Orioles are free falling. As is the case with most losing streaks or extended stretches of losing, it feels like they'll never win again.

In less than two weeks, the Orioles have gone from four games out of first place to nine back. They have now fallen 3 1/2 games out in the wild card race. They are losing touch with that race as well.

O's runs per game by month:
* April: 5.6
* May: 3.3
* June: 5.3
* July: 3.7
* August: 4.4

It doesn't feel like it, but they've actually scored fewer runs per game in May and July than they are now. But the O's batters are frustrating Birdland daily with too many strikeouts and too few adjustments. They are an aggressive team that will chase pitches and they are now doing that in abundance.

No doubt it is most frustrating in the clubhouse where the Orioles have the want to, as Buck Showalter might say. But right now want to is not nearly good enough.