After poor 10-game run on offense, O's bats need to get going fast

TORONTO - In losing four straight games against Boston the Orioles scored just eight runs. In sweeping Arizona three straight they won games scoring three and two runs. Once they won in 12 innings with three solo homers and once they won with an early two-run homer that their pitching made stand up.

The starting rotations in Boston and Toronto are going well now and the Orioles hitters can't seem to figure them out. But it goes beyond just those teams.

The Orioles have hit just .204 with 24 runs scored the last 10 games. They've scored three runs or fewer nine times and two runs or fewer seven times. They have hit a miserable .105 (6-for-57) with runners in scoring position in this span.

After last night's 5-1 loss at Rogers Centre, they have now lost five games in a row and seven of nine against American League East opponents. Maybe the biggest stunner of all is that the Orioles still hold a playoff spot this morning.

But with five games to go they'll likely need to somehow win a few to make the playoffs. It is within reach. But will they reach it?

First, can they figure out how to beat the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, where they have lost six of seven, eight of 10 and 12 of their last 17 games? Why do they struggle so much in that ballpark?

"I think a lot of it has to do with the (Toronto) team," Chris Davis said in the quiet of the Orioles' clubhouse last night. "This is obviously a good division rival but the last few years, they've figured out what works for them, they've been able to go out every year and put a good product on the field. So, we've got to figure out a way to beat them."

Meanwhile, right-hander Kevin Gausman has had better outings than he had last night. He gave up Josh Donaldson's two-run homer in the opening inning and allowed five runs (four earned) over six innings.

"(He was) OK. OK," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's tough on himself. The story (was), we just didn't mount much offensively. (Aaron) Sanchez was really good again, like he's been most of the year. We had very few opportunities and we didn't cash them in very much. Trumb (Mark Trumbo) had a good night and Michael (Bourn) gave us a little lift there. Felt like he might. He's played well here over the years."

Orioles starting pitchers have an ERA of 8.18 and just one quality start this year at Rogers Centre, where the Orioles are 2-6.

The Detroit Tigers won last night and Seattle lost to Houston. So the Orioles are two games back of Toronto for the first wild card spot and one game up on Detroit, two ahead of Seattle and 2 1/2 games ahead of Houston for the second wild card spot.

Davis and Showalter were both ejected last night. The two ejections matched the Orioles total for the previous 156 games on the year. On April 21, Matt Wieters was ejected against Toronto. On June 7, Manny Machado was ejected against Kansas City.

Toronto starting pitchers are on some roll right now. They have held their opponents to one earned run or less in six straight games. They have now done that for the second time in team history. The first was May 9-16, 1983. Blue Jays starters have allowed two earned runs or fewer in 12 consecutive games. The Toronto team ERA is 1.84 and the team is 8-4 in those 12 games.

Last night's result means Toronto will win the season series over the Orioles, leading now 10 wins to seven. The Blue Jays have won back-to-back season series against the Orioles for the first time since 2010-11.

The Orioles went homerless last night, ending a streak of 13 consecutive games with at least one homer at Rogers Centre.

The Orioles bullpen continues to quietly put up impressive numbers. The 'pen hurlers have thrown 12 1/3 scoreless innings over the last four games. Over the last 14 games, the Orioles bullpen ERA is 0.71.

Maybe last night's most impressive swing resulted in an out. Machado lined out to short in the third inning on a ball that had an exit velocity of 117 mph. According to Statcast numbers, only two Orioles have hit a ball harder this year. Jonathan Schoop hit a ball that was turned into a forceout 121.6 mph on July 22 against Cleveland. And Mark Trumbo hit a single at 117.2 mph on June 28 versus San Diego.