Did Jimenez make his last start tonight? (O's lose 9-5)

It's difficult to imagine another start for Ubaldo Jimenez following the All-Star break. The greater intrigue surrounds his spot on the 25-man roster.

Jimenez didn't strengthen his case tonight, lasting only 1 1/3 innings, being charged with five runs and walking off the mound to a chorus of boos.

How much is Jimenez struggling? Tonight didn't mark his shortest outing of the season. He retired only one batter on June 12 in Toronto.

Fans grew restless after Jimenez issued a four-pitch walk to Kole Calhoun, the second batter of the game. The boos grew louder as Mike Trout singled to right field and Albert Pujols delivered an RBI single over Mark Trumbo's head in right field.

Trout scored on C.J. Cron's ground ball to put the Orioles in a 2-0 hole, a familiar vantage point in the first inning this season.

Seven of 11 batters reached against Jimenez before he was pulled.

Johnny Giavotella drew a leadoff walk in the second, Jett Bandy flied out, Andrelton Simmons singled and Yunel Escobar and Calhoun delivered RBI singles.

Brooks Robinson received the loudest ovation tonight during the ceremony honoring the 1966 world championship team. Manager Buck Showalter almost rivaled him by stepping out of the dugout and signaling for Mike Wright, who retired Trout on a sacrifice fly and struck out Pujols.

Jimenez was charged with five runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings, with two walks, no strikeouts and wild pitch. He threw 45 pitches, 25 for strikes, and his ERA grew to 7.38 in 79 1/3 innings.

Though it's the second-shortest outing for Jimenez this season, he retired only five Indians on May 28. He's also gone 4 1/3 twice and 4 2/3.

With the Padres no longer on the schedule, there may not be a favorable matchup for Jimenez, who has allowed 11 runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in his last two starts. He's walked five batters. He's also continuing to test an organization's patience.

Jimenez is owed the remainder of his $13 million this season and $13.5 million in 2017. He signed the richest contract in franchise history for a free agent pitcher, receiving four years and $50 million.

I've been told on numerous occasions that the Orioles are willing to eat what's left, obviously a last resort but one that's becoming a more realistic possibility. Otherwise, he could go back to the bullpen, though he'd still need to get hitters out and not simply be stashed.

The All-Star break could get interesting. Adjustments to the rotation are coming anyway with only four starters. How much longer can Jimenez be the fifth?

Wright isn't helping his own cause by loading the bases with no outs in the third on two hit batters and a walk. I'll be updating this entry shortly.

Meanwhile, the Orioles lead the majors with seven home runs robbed this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The White Sox and Phillies are second with two each.

Update: Wright allowed only one run on Bandy's single. A foul pop up and 1-2-3 double play bailed him out.

Update II: The Angels scored two unearned runs off Wright in the fourth after back-to-back errors on J.J. Hardy. It's that kind of night.

Jonathan Schoop hit his 14th home run with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to reduce the lead to 8-2.

Update III: The Angels lead 9-2 in the sixth after Nava's two-out RBI single.

Wright has hit three batters, including Cron twice. Cron left the game for a pinch-runner after being nailed on the hand.

Update IV: Mark Trumbo's RBI single reduced the lead to 9-3. He has 65 RBIs this season.

Update V: The Orioles lose to the Angels 9-5 and their lead in the American League East is down to one game. The Blue Jays have won seven in a row.

Trumbo hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth and the count full. He has 27 home runs and 67 RBIs.