Chen was good again, but the offense has headed south (plus minor league notes)

So what has happened to the Orioles offense?

After their 3-1 loss Friday night to the Los Angeles Angels, the Orioles have scored three runs or less in seven of their last 13 games, going 5-8.

On May 1, the Orioles began a home series on the road against Tampa Bay. At that point they led the major leagues, averaging 5.6 runs per game. They had scored six runs or more in 10 of their first 20 games. That has happened just twice in the last 13 games.

O's offense this season:
April: .286 average, .482 slugging, .827 OPS, 29 homers in 20 games, 5.6 runs per game.
May: .225 average, .369 slugging, .649 OPS, 14 homers in 13 games, 3.1 runs per game.

The offense has been inconsistent. Over the last six games, the Orioles have scored six, two, five, two, six and one runs.

The Orioles have had fewer than 10 hits for six straight games and in 12 of their last 13 games, batting just .225 in that stretch. The team average has dropped from .286 to .263.

Even when the Orioles hit the longball, they are scoring just one or two runs lately, as 13 of their last 15 homers have been solo shots. The two that were not were two-run homers.

The lack of runs last night spoiled a good outing by Wei-Yin Chen. For the sixth consecutive start, he allowed two earned runs or less, but took the loss to the Angels.

"He had a really good start in New York and built on that again today," catcher Caleb Joseph said after the game. "He's been solid. He knows what he is doing and what he is capable of. He knows how to pitch and he's a bulldog. He's giving us a chance to win every fifth day. Need more games like he had tonight for us to be in it late in the season."

A few minor league injury updates: Single-A Frederick catcher Chance Sisco has just started to swing a bat in the cage and hit off a tee. He feels better but has yet to progress to the point where he can play in extended spring training games in Florida. Sisco went on the DL for the second time this season April 25 with a strained oblique.

Frederick pitcher Matt Taylor is home recovering from his concussion. He will be out for an undertermined amount of time after being hit in the head by a batted ball April 30. Taylor will have another doctor's appointment in about two weeks to determine what happens next for him.

Frederick outfielder Josh Hart, batting .250 in six games, has been playing in games in extended spring training. Out since April 16 with a strained right shoulder, Hart should be able to return soon to the Keys.

Double-A Bowie right-hander Matt Hobgood is expected to begin a throwing program in about three days. Hobgood went 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in his first three Baysox games, but has been out since mid-April with shoulder soreness.

Bowie first baseman Brandon Snyder is on the DL with a slight hamstring strain, retroactive to May 9. Batting .303 in 10 games since re-signing with the Orioles, he should return soon.

Speaking of the minors: I'll be talking about the O's minor leagues when I temporarily sit in the chair mostly occupied by a World Series hero later tonight. I'll join Jim Hunter for a segment at 6:30 p.m. during the "O's Xtra" pregame show on MASN.