Gonzalez lacking quality in his start (O's lose 7-1)

It's one of those nights for the Orioles. One of those nights that indicates that a split of their four-game series in Kansas City isn't in the cards. Not unless there's dramatic shift. Not unless someone changes the deck. The Orioles rotation had posted seven straight quality starts and 10 in their last 11 games, but Miguel Gonzalez left tonight's game after 4 2/3 innings. He couldn't keep the ball down and the Royals wouldn't let him up. Troy Patton let an inherited runner score, leaving Gonzalez with a season-high six runs allowed to go with eight hits, one walk and no strikeouts. Gonzalez had posted eight straight quality starts before tonight, but he just didn't have it. Factor in the blown call on Nate McLouth's sinking liner to left fielder Alex Gordon that cost the Orioles a run, and it's fast becoming a forgettable night. The 4 2/3 innings represent Gonzalez's shortest outing of the season. Gonzalez had recorded at least one out in the sixth inning in each of his 17 starts this season and in 23 straight dating back to last year. Update: It's not getting any better. Francisco Rodriguez, making his Orioles debut, served up a home run to Billy Butler with one out in the seventh inning. Kansas City 7, Orioles 1. Rodriguez allowed two homers in 24 2/3 innings with the Brewers. He allowed one after facing two batters with the Orioles. One of those nights. Update II: It never got better. The Orioles dropped three straight games to close their road trip, including tonight's 7-1 loss to the Royals. They went 4-3 on the trip, but it doesn't feel like a winner. Not after laying such a large egg in Kansas City. Matt Wieters, Henry Urrutia and Brian Roberts each had two hits. Wieters has five straight multi-hit games, the longest streak of his career. Roberts has five two-hit games in his last nine games.