A look at Orioles' struggles in series-opening games this year

We have sized up some statistics in recent days and weeks that have been an issue for the Orioles at times this year, such as their starting rotation's ERA and recent batting with runners in scoring position numbers.

Here is one not discussed much, but one that has been an issue for the Orioles in 2015: their losing record in series-opening games.

Let's compare it to last year:

* In 2014, the Orioles went 32-21 (.604) in the first game of a series, and they went 30-15-8 in series for the year.

* In 2015, they have gone 15-18 (.455) in series openers and have a series record of 16-12-3.

It is harder to win series when you lose the first game. The Orioles did it at Detroit and now they need to do it at New York after last night's 3-2 loss in a key series at Yankee Stadium.

After last night's game, the chorus from some of the readers here is that the season is over, and the take that it is time to sell off players was back.

One argument against that is, first of all, there are still 70 games to play. If the Orioles do lose their key free agents this winter, they could still get several high draft picks as compensation in the Top 40 overall selections. They then would have extra draft picks and extra dollars no longer on the books to pursue replacement talent. That could turn out to be better than the lesser return via trade that a rental player could bring. It is worth considering.

The Orioles could have $50 million or more coming off the books for next year. That provides an opportunity to add three or four solid players, or even potentially one or two elite ones. So, there is the chance to not trade this month, and then later add both picks and fresh talent.

Anyway, the debate on this will rage on at least through the end of this month.

On the farm: Right-hander Cristian Alvarado made his pitching debut for short-season Single-A Aberdeen last night, and it was a good one. He threw five shutout innings and combined with Tanner Scott and Jay Flaa on a four-hitter with 15 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over State College.

The 20-year-old Alvardo was signed out of Venezuela in August 2011 and, until last night, had pitched only in the Dominican Summer League and the Gulf Coast League. He had five starts and was dominant this year in the GCL, going 5-0 with an ERA of 0.33 to lead the league in wins and ERA at the time of his move to Aberdeen. Over 27 innings in the GCL, he gave up just 15 hits and one earned run with no walks and 20 strikeouts. Impressive indeed. Last night for Aberdeen, he gave up seven hits in his five-inning outing with one walk and seven strikeouts. His fastball reached the mid 90s.

Scott, the Orioles' sixth-round pick in 2014, fanned six in three innings. He got the win and is 4-0 with an ERA of 3.26. The hard-throwing Scott has fanned 30 in 19 1/3 innings for the IronBirds. Flaa, the club's sixth-round pick last month, pitched the ninth with two strikeouts for his second save. He has pitched five scoreless innings for Aberdeen.

Over his last three outings for Aberdeen, Scott has pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and four walks with 17 strikeouts.

Triple-A Norfolk is now 54-41 after a 12-2 home rout of Pawtucket. Henry Urrutia went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs. Sean Halton hit a three-run homer. Christian Walker went 3-for-5 while Michael Almanzar, Steve Clevenger and Julio Borbon each drove in two runs. Over his last 21 games, Urrutia is batting .353 with 11 RBIs and 11 multi-hit games.

On the mound, Mike Wright pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings to improve to 7-0 with an ERA of 2.66. Over his last 18 outings (17 starts) for Norfolk, Wright is 11-2 with an ERA of 1.84.