Matusz struggles again as Tribe takes series finale

After getting hammered in two mid-week games against the Angels, the Orioles were hoping to get back on track with a four-game series against Cleveland. The Tribe came to Camden Yards riding a five-game losing streak and a record of 11-19 over its previous 30 games. But another poor outing by another starter led to another loss today as the Tribe beat the Orioles 6-2. Cleveland scored 32 runs in the series in taking three of four. Today, Brian Matusz could not get an out in the fifth inning and lost for the fifth consecutive start. Matusz lasted just two batters into the fifth and allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned) with three walks and two strikeouts. Matusz falls to 5-10 with an ERA of 5.42. With 10 losses, he ties Hector Noesi of Seattle for the American League lead. Over his last five starts, Matusz is 0-5 with an ERA of 8.44 and he has allowed 40 hits in 21 1/3 in that time. Orioles starters, after pitching to an ERA of 1.42 last weekend against the Nationals, now have an ERA of 11.42 in six starts since. Over those games, O's starters have pitched 26 innings giving up 33 earned runs, 48 hits and nine homers. Jim Thome went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his Orioles debut. Wilson Betemit was 1-for-4 to extend his batting streak to 11 games. He is 17-for-36 during the streak. Adam Jones had an RBI double and Ryan Flaherty an RBI single as the O's concluded a 3-6 homestand. Now the Orioles play seven in a row on the road leading into the All-Star break. The Orioles meet the Mariners in Seattle on Monday night at 10:10 p.m. Eastern time to start a three-game series.