The Orioles offense is looking to break out

When the Orioles produced just two hits and no runs over 29 at-bats last night in a 2-0 loss to Tampa Bay, it was an offensive low point for a season in which the team has not scored many runs.

We, of course, should keep in mind that the Orioles are 13-6 overall, with the second-best record in the American League, and that they lead the American League East by 1 1/2 games over New York and by two games over Boston.

On opening day, with the team about to face a season-opening stretch with 24 of their first 27 games versus the AL East, who wouldn't have taken a 13-6 record to this point?

The record is good and the fact the Orioles have gotten there more with solid starting pitching and the as-expected strong bullpen than on offense may be a good thing. The runs should start to come, and we know this team will hit some home runs.

But as a team right now, the Orioles are batting .232, which is tied for 11th in the AL. The team OBP of .291 ranks 13th and the .413 slugging mark is seventh. The Orioles have scored just eight runs the last three games, and 18 over the past seven contests.

Last night Mark Trumbo expressed confidence that the club's offense will soon get going.

"It's not where we want it," he said. "It's not where I want and there are probably quite a few guys in here not pleased. But that's part of the game. Everyone in here has struggled. Everyone has done well. We've got a great team and this is just kind of a little funk and we'll move past it."

The middle of the order is undergoing a power outage at the moment. Manny Machado is hitting .188. Trumbo homered opening day but has not hit a home run since and has just six RBIs, none in the last 12 games. Chris Davis has just five RBIs, and only one in his last 10 games.

Numbers like that will not continue.

After a great start batting as a team with runners in scoring position, the Orioles are just 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position the past three games. That leaves the team average at .279 with RISP, and that ranks fourth in the AL.

The Orioles have scored three runs or fewer in 12 of their 19 games. They have gone 6-6 in those 12. They have failed to hit even one homer eight times, going 3-5.

Manager Buck Showalter won't push any panic buttons over a lack of runs right now.

"They pitched real well," he said of the Rays. "Made a lot of quality pitches in some really tough conditions. There's a lot of excuses there if you want to reach for them, but we're not going to. Will be nice to get outside (for batting practice). Hopefully, we can get some work tomorrow and swing the bats better."

The Orioles offense should be ready to break out soon, and it will be a welcome sight for the fan base. For now, the wins have been plentiful, even if the runs have not.