Orioles starter Bud Norris was perfect through three innings tonight and losing by a run in the fourth.
A leadoff walk to Tigers' second baseman Ian Kinsler started the trouble. Isn't that usually the way?
Kinsler stole second and scored on Miguel Cabrera's single. Cabrera moved to third on Victor Martinez's double and scored on Austin Jackson's sacrifice fly for a 2-1 lead.
Norris' pitch count stood at 36 after the third. He threw 18 in the fourth.
Somehow, the Orioles need to figure out a way to control the opponent's running game.
The Orioles took a 1-0 lead off Rick Porcello in the second on a two-out single by J.J. Hardy, extending his hitting streak to six games, and Steve Clevenger's RBI double off the base of the fence in left field.
Once again, Clevenger forces Hardy to score all the way from first base. Who needs a treadmill when you've got the Pride of Pigtown?
Norris struck out four consecutive Tigers in the second and third innings. He threw four consecutive fastballs to Jackson and three consecutive sliders to Nick Castellanos. Alex Avila saw fastballs and sliders in a seven-pitch at-bat, and Andrew Romine saw five consecutive fastballs.
Norris' heater has been 93-95 mph.
Nick Markakis, trying to extend his hitting streak to 19 games, is 0-for-2 tonight. Chris Davis also is 0-for-2 after entering the night 5-for-15 with three home runs and seven RBIs lifetime against Porcello.
Down on the farm, Single-A Delmarva's Hunter Harvey is dealing against Lakewood. And it appears that the Shorebirds are holding an ace.
Harvey, last year's first-round draft pick, has allowed one hit, walked one and struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings. He's thrown 83 pitches, 61 for strikes, and his ERA is down to 1.38.
Harvey has retired 16 in a row.
I'm still waiting for the vendor to retire who keeps squawking "Beer, beer, beer" in front of the press box.
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