A look at the recent streaky nature of the Orioles offense

The Orioles offense has certainly been streaky lately. In the last four games of the road trip to Kansas City and Tampa Bay, the Orioles scored just five runs. Then they came home and scored 23 runs in the first three games against the Chicago White Sox. Now they have scored just five runs over the last three games.

Eight times this year, the Orioles have scored six or more runs in a game. But seven times this year, they have scored two runs or less. That includes last night, when CC Sabathia threw seven scoreless innings for the first time since April 2013 as the Yankees beat the Orioles 7-0.

The Orioles had their chances last night, but hit into three double plays and left the bases loaded in the eighth. The Orioles are only 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position in this series and just 2-for-25 over the last three games. In the three games before that - when they scored 23 runs against a tough White Sox staff - they went 11-for-29 with RISP. Did I mention streaky?

The Orioles have 10 games this season where they have hit two or more homers, going 7-3. They now have nine games without a homer, going 4-5.

When the last-place Yankees came to town struggling, some Orioles fans were predicting a sweep. Now the Orioles need to win tonight to take this series. If they can't win this series, how will Birdland deal with that?

Providing the kids with jerseys and equipment: As part of the Cardboard to Leather Program, the Orioles and Oriole Advocates have partnered to provide the new junior varsity baseball and softball programs of International High School at Largo, a local ESL (English as a second language) school, with baseball equipment for their inaugural seasons.

Yesterday, Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez took part in the program about an hour before last night's game, personally going around the room and handing kids No. 31 Jimenez t-shirts.

"It was a beautiful thing," Jimenez said. "It was really great to be here. The whole community came together to brings these kids equipment. Every time you can give back to the community, it is an amazing thing. This is what it's all about. The game is more than just crossing the lines. It is all about the community and the kids."

The Oriole Advocates created the Cardboard to Leather Program in 1992 to provide baseball and softball equipment to underprivileged youth in developing countries. The Orioles invited the kids from International High School to last night's game. This was the first time any of the players have attended a major league game. In addition, the student-athletes had their pregame meet and greet with Jimenez.

Jimenez, a native of the Dominican Republic, said the Cardboard to Leather program is very important because it helps the young players in the Dominican to get baseball equipment from the Orioles and Oriole Advocates.

"It probably means everything. If you go to the Dominican you will see a lot of kids and they don't even have gloves or spikes. They don't have anything. Being able to get this from the United States is a big thing. As a ballplayer, you want to do good things for the whole community," Jimenez said.

This season's Cardboard to Leather collection will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4. Fans are encouraged to bring new and gently used baseball equipment to the Orioles game for this year's distribution, which will be going to youth players in Aruba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Financial donations will also be accepted to help with shipping costs.