Springer's homer leads Houston to win over O's in series opener

After their starting pitchers had worked to an ERA of 7.71 over the last 10 games, tonight the O's got an effective start from Ubaldo Jimenez. But it still didn't lead to a win. Houston rookie George Springer continued his recent torrid hitting with a tie-breaking two-run homer in the seventh as Houston beat the Orioles 3-1 in the opener of a four-game series. The Orioles have lost eight of their last 12 and 12 of their last 18 games. Houston has won six in a row for the first time since last May 29-June 3. Houston, a winner of 12 of its last 18, has outscored its opponents 37-11 during that winning streak. Jimenez, who had allowed 10 runs in nine innings over his past two starts, went six innings. He gave up three hits and one run with three walks and eight strikeouts. Jimenez got a no decision, has an ERA of 4.65 and the Orioles are 2-9 in his 11 starts. The Orioles' only run came in the top of the fourth and tied the game 1-1. Steve Pearce led off with a double and scored on a Nelson Cruz two-out single. The Orioles had scored 58 runs in the last 10 games, but were held to just seven hits and struck out 12 times without a walk against three Houston pitchers. Cruz has 49 RBIs, the second most ever by an Oriole by the end of May, trailing only Chris Davis who had 50 last season. Springer's two-run shot in the seventh came off Preston Guilmet. He had pitched six scoreless and hitless innings until tonight. Springer hit a 3-2 pitch into the left-field seats. It was his seventh homer over his last seven games and 10th in 94 at-bats in May. The Orioles fall to 2-2 against Houston, 15-14 on the road and 26-26 for the season, falling back to the .500 mark for the first time since they were 12-12 on April 27.