Lack of runs equals lack of wins, plus farm results

The Orioles offense seems to be relentless in its pursuit of being bad. They've faced lefties and righties, experienced and inexperienced pitchers, hurlers from the American League and the National League, and they have failed to produce much against most.

A day off did nothing to revive things. The 2-0 loss to Miami on Friday night means the Orioles have been shut out eight times this year. That includes twice in the last four games and four times in the past 15 games.

The offense has been bad all year, but particularly so over these last 15 games. This began on May 28, when the O's started a three-game series versus Washington in which they were blanked twice and scored two runs. Over the past 15 games, they have scored 27 runs with a team batting average of .196. They have been held to two runs or fewer in 10 of those 15 games and to one or none eight times. They have five hits or fewer in seven of the 15 games. They are batting .089 (8-for-90) with runners in scoring position in that span.

The Orioles are batting .052 (3-for-58) with RISP the past eight games. They have been held to one run or fewer 21 times.

Corban Joseph got called up and had a hit. Adam Jones dropped a nice bunt. We'd love to pass on other positives on the offense if we could find any. Would just love to.

The Orioles have lost eight in a row to get to 19-49. It's their longest streak since losing nine in a row July 4-15, 2011. The Orioles have lost 10 straight at home, scoring just 14 runs in those games. They've been blanked four times in those games.

On the farm: Short season Single-A Aberdeen lost its season opener 4-0 to Hudson Valley in front of 5,827 at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium Friday night. Right-hander Victor Romero took the loss for the IronBirds, but gave up just one run and three hits over five innings.

Aberdeen was held to five hits. Shortstop Adam Hall hit leadoff and went 1-for-4. Right fielder Robert Neustrom, the club's 2018 fifth-round pick out of Iowa, went 1-for-4.

Double-A Bowie lost 2-1 to Portland. Beginning his injury-rehab assignment, Tim Beckham, playing third base, went 0-for-2 with a run scored. Ryan Mountcastle, who is hitting .276, doubled with an RBI in four at-bats.

Lefty Keegan Akin took a tough-luck loss to fall to 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA. He allowed four hits and two runs over six innings. Over his past four starts, Akin is 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA. In that span he has allowed 13 hits in 24 innings with nine walks and 25 strikeouts. Akin has thrown quality starts in eight of his 13 games and allowed two runs or fewer eight times.

Single-A Frederick split a doubleheader with Down East, winning the opener 7-5 and then losing 5-3. The Keys' win streak ended at eight in the nightcap. That was the Keys' longest win streak since June 1-8, 2011. Center fielder Ryan McKenna went 3-for-7 in the twinbill and is batting .375. And in anticipation of more questions about his possible promotion to Double-A, maybe it happens after Tuesday's Carolina League All-Star game.

Charlotte beat Triple-A Norfolk 7-2 as Tim Melville allowed six runs in 3 2/3. DJ Stewart went 2-for-5 and is hitting .266. Cedric Mullins went 0-for-3, ending a six-game hitting streak during which he batted .348 (8-for-23).

Single-A Delmarva lost 8-2 at West Virginia. Left-hander DL Hall allowed one run over four innings but took the loss to fall to 0-5 with a 3.76 ERA. Ben Breazeale and Zach Jarrett had three hits each, but the Shorebirds (34-31) went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.