Left out by Romero (Jays win 4-1)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

June 15, 2011, 4:56pm

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Remember that stat I passed along earlier today about the Orioles batting .239 against left-handed starters this season? They set out to prove tonight that it's not deceiving in any way. The Orioles have no runs and three hits in seven innings against Blue Jays southpaw Ricky Romero. They've struck out 10 times. And they're determined to waste Jake Arrieta's quality start. Arrieta has held Toronto to two runs in six innings. He's scattered nine hits. He's also waiting for the usual run support. It could be a long wait. This should be Arrieta's last inning. Jason Berken is warming and Arrieta is about to exceed 100 pitches on the night. Juan Rivera homered off Arrieta in the sixth to increase Toronto's lead to 2-0. Unfortunately, it's looking like a big insurance run - and an insurmountable lead unless Romero starts throwing with his right hand. Instant update: Arrieta is done after issuing a two-out walk to Jose Bautista in the seventh. Update II: Adam Lind just hit a two-run homer off Clay Rapada, increasing Toronto's lead to 4-0. Rapada is done after one batter. Here comes Jason Berken. Lefties were batting .094 against Rapada before Lind stepped to the plate.