Another loss mixed with some facts and opinions

The latest Orioles game just produced more frustration for players and fans alike. Now at 40-45 after falling 6-4 at Minnesota, the Orioles are tied for fourth and fifth in the American League East with Toronto. So that means they are tied for last place.

They have lost four in a row and six of seven. They are 18-35 since May 9, when they were 22-10 and had the best record in Major League Baseball. The team since then has seldom looked like a good team, much less a winning team. They are neither right now.

Fact: Dylan Bundy has now thrown 108 innings, and he was at 109 2/3 at the end of last season.

Opinion: The Orioles can't have Bundy throw that many innings after the break, and maybe nothing close to that. Bundy said he feels great and manager Buck Showalter has mentioned there is no scientific evidence about innings limits. Both are probably completely right.

But with Bundy's history of elbow and shoulder issues, the team should be overly cautious with him in the second half. The last few starts perhaps provided examples of Bundy showing signs of wear and tear. But maybe he gets to 150-160 innings this year to set him up to be a 200-innings guy next season. A lack of command can be a symptom of a tired or tiring arm. Bundy will get 11 days rest before his next start. That may have to happen more than once the rest of the way.

Fact: The Orioles have five quality starts the last 30 games, and a rotation ERA of 8.07 in that span.

Opinion: Probably nothing can save this rotation at this point. Certainly trading an O's prospect or two for a mid-level pitcher is a bad idea right now. The rotation has been worse than even Pecota could have predicted.

Fact: The inconsistent offense has produced three runs or fewer 43 times on the year, and the team's record is 10-33 in those games. The Orioles have scored 26 runs the last 10 games.

Opinion: Captain Obvious called and said that is not nearly good enough. If anyone expected Manny Machado to be batting .215 at the All-Star break, nice job. The pitching has been worse than the hitting, but the bats have been real bad as well.

Fact: The Orioles are 26-20 against the American League East and 6-15 against the AL Central.

Opinion: I've got nothing here.

On the farm Thursday: Triple-A Norfolk won 3-1 at Gwinnett behind right-hander Alec Asher. Asher improved his Norfolk record to 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA by throwing five innings while allowing five hits and one run. Richard Rodriguez got the final five outs for his second save. The Tides' Chris Johnson went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs.

Double-A Bowie won its ninth straight home game, besting Hartford 3-2. The Baysox (45-41) are 14-5 over their past 19 games. Lefty Tanner Scott started the game and pitched a scoreless inning. He was held to one inning so he can pitch in the Futures Game on Sunday. So John Means, who is usually a starter, came on in relief and pitched six innings, allowing two unearned runs with eight strikeouts. Garrett Cleavinger pitched two scoreless for his third save. Garabez Rosa hit a three-run homer and Austin Hays went 2-for-4 and is batting .350. Bowie has won nine straight at home for the first time since Aug. 14-28, 2012 and the Baysox have also matched their season high at four games above .500.

For the second straight night, the Single-A Frederick Keys and the Potomac Nationals were postponed due to rain in Woodbridge, Va. Thursday's game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday, Aug. 25 at Pfitzner Stadium, and both contests will be seven innings. The two teams will also play a doubleheader on Saturday, Aug. 26. The Keys return to Nymeo Field to take on Myrtle Beach Friday night with right-hander Ofelky Peralta (1-7, 6.67 ERA) on the mound.

Single-A Delmarva lost 4-1 at home versus Lakewood. Right-hander Lucas Humpal took the loss, allowing nine hits and four runs over seven innings. Cole Billingsley went 3-for-4 while Preston Palmeiro and Chris Clare had two hits each for the Shorebirds.

Short season Single-A Aberdeen's game at home against Lowell was rained out. The IronBirds (9-6) host Tri-City tonight at Ripken Stadium at 7:05 p.m.

The Gulf Coast League Orioles beat the Red Sox 8-7 as first baseman J.C. Escarra went 3-for-5 with two doubles and four RBIs. The Orioles' 15th- round draft pick out of Florida International, Escarra was just 1-for-23 to start his pro career until his big game on Thursday. Shortstop Alexis Torres went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

The Dominican Summer League Orioles lost 3-1 to the Blue Jays. O's right-hander Felix Bautista took the loss despite allowing just one unearned run on three hits over six innings.