Blanked again: O's are shut out for second game in a row

Frustration is now setting in for the Orioles' hitters and their fans. The Orioles were shut out for the second night in a row, as they lost 5-0 to the Mets tonight at Citi Field. This is the first interleague series the O's have lost after winning their first four. The Orioles have not scored in their last 21 innings, dating to Sunday at Atlanta. Mets starter Johan Santana, who had allowed 10 runs in 10 innings since pitching a no-hitter, pitched six shutout innings on four hits tonight, improving to 5-3 with an ERA of 3.00. Over the first two games of this series, the Orioles have just five hits and no runs over 15 innings with 18 strikeouts against the Mets' starters. Tommy Hunter was behind just 1-0 until a two-run homer by Lucas Duda in the sixth. An inning later, Jordany Valdespin came up with a two-run single off Dana Eveland. The Orioles have scored just nine runs in the five games of this road trip, and they fall to 39-29 on the year. Hunter picked up his fourth loss on the season, and his ERA now stands at 5.70. They will try to salvage the series tomorrow. Brian Matusz (5-7, 4.94 ERA) will take the mound for the O's, and Dillon Gee (4-5, 4.43 ERA) will go for the Mets. The O's are still looking for their first win at Citi Field.