At least in the short term, O's need to make a change at closer

When the top of the ninth began last night, Tommy Hunter had a chance, with a 1-2-3 inning, to avoid facing Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera or Victor Martinez.

But he gave up another leadoff hit and later walked Hunter, and that brought up Cabrera with runners on first and second. I really thought this could have been that very rare instance where a team pitches around a hitter even without a base open. Instead Cabrera was pitched to and produced a game-winning three-run homer.

For the immediate future, starting with today, I don't think the Orioles can close with Tommy Hunter anymore. He can get the job back - and maybe very soon - but I think they have to look elsewhere for at least the next few games.

Opposing batters are hitting .365 against him. He gives up an average of .520 when the bases are empty. How can his confidence not have taken a hit after he's allowed six runs in his last two outings with two blown saves and eight runs and 10 hits over his last four games, covering just 3 1/3 innings?

Hunter could use a break from the ninth inning - at least for a short time. Maybe the O's can go closer by committee in the short term and use whichever pitcher is best suited for that particular game or situation.

Hunter is mentally strong and physically good enough to get big outs late in the game. But, for now, the time has come for him to pitch earlier in the game. That's my two cents.

Meanwhile, I'm still puzzled why this team is struggling to score runs in home games. The O's have scored just four runs total in losing their last three games. They are now averaging just 2.88 runs per game at Camden Yards and have scored three runs or less in 13 of 18 home games.

The Orioles have scored just two runs on 13 hits while going 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position in the series against Detroit.

At a time when O's starters have now pitched seven or more innings in four of their last five games, the club has a three-game losing streak. They wasted Ubaldo Jimenez's outing last night because they didn't score more and didn't protect the lead they did have in the ninth.

Are the Orioles reeling after that game last night? How will they bounce back? How much pressure does this put on Kevin Gausman who pitches today?

All good questions, and we won't have long to find out these answers. Game time today is 12:35 p.m. at the Yard.

Bridwell was brilliant: There was a near no-hitter in the O's minors last night. Single-A Frederick right-hander Parker Bridwell began the ninth pitching a no-hitter against Potomac at Harry Grove Stadium.

Looking for the Keys' first no-hitter since Nate Moreau on June 30, 2010, Bridwell retired the first batter he faced in the ninth, before allowing a walk to Justin Miller and a hit to center field by Tony Renda. Bridwell then was taken out and Jesse Beal got the final two outs in the Keys' 7-0 win for their third shutout.

Bridwell, rated the O's No. 19 prospect by Baseball America, has been inconsistent this year, to say the least. He entered this start 0-5 with a 6.94 ERA before fanning eight batters over 8 1/3 one-hit innings. But he has some talent, as shown by a 14-strikeout game last season with Single-A Delmarva and by this outing.

Meanwhile former O's farmhand Josh Hader was involved in a no-hitter last night. The Houston Astros' No. 15 prospect, Hader combined with two relievers for a no-hitter as Single-A Lancaster defeated Bakersfield 1-0. Hader, who was traded to Houston last July in the Bud Norris deal, pitched the first six innings of that no-no.

It was an eventful Tuesday for Triple-A Norfolk. Trailing Louisville 8-0 in the third frame, Norfolk plated 14 unanswered runs - including 11 in the fifth inning - to win 14-8. The eight-run deficit was the largest the Tides have overcome in a victory since becoming an Orioles affiliate in 2007.

Norfolk has now scored 88 runs in 13 games this month, surpassing the team total of 87 runs in 25 games in April. The Tides have batted a league-best .299 in May after ranking 13th in the league with a .230 average in April.