Miguel Gonzalez on the loss against Minnesota and his struggles this year

Why is right-hander Miguel Gonzalez struggling so much right now? This is a pitcher that went 10-9 last year with a 3.23 ERA. He pitched to an ERA of 2.19 his last 11 starts. He went 5-2 with an ERA of 2.78 against the American League East.

The track record is there.

But now his record is 9-9 with an ERA of 4.73. Thursday night he gave up eight hits and seven runs in five innings against the Twins in a 15-2 loss to Minnesota.

After pitching a 1-2-3 top of the first on 11 pitches, he needed 40 pitches to get three outs during a second inning where he allowed five runs and put the Orioles in an early hole.

"Just a tough outing," Gonzalez said. "Everyone goes through hard times. You have to grind it out. Come back, work hard for the next one. Not worry about this one. Flush it out."

Gonzalez had an ERA of 3.33 when he went on the disabled list June 11 with a right groin strain. In 11 starts since returning from the DL he has an ERA of 6.48. His ERA is 7.82 his last five starts, where he has allowed 22 runs in 25 1/3 innings. In 11 home starts, he is 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA.

Gonzalez said he has been unable recently to put away hitters when getting ahead in the count.

"Got ahead of guys and got to even counts and it's really tough, especially a team like this," Gonzalez said. "They are swinging at anything that is close. You have to finish off hitters when you are ahead and make pitches when you need to. Things will turn around.

"Get ahead and once you are ahead, the only thing that is missing is finishing hitters. That has been the struggle. I've been changing a little bit of things here and there. It's a process. And you know, go out there and forget about this one and get ready for the next one."

Gonzalez was asked if he will rely on his longer track record of success right now.

"That tells you, this game isn't easy," he said. "It will humble you for sure. No matter how good you are, you will go through some rough times. All you have to do is forget about it and move on."

Last year Gonzalez allowed three earned runs or less in 23 of 26 starts. This year he has done that in 13 of 23. He admits this recent stretch has been mentally challenging.

"Of course," he said. "Of course. Any guy can tell you that. Hitters. Our pitching staff will tell you the same thing."

Gonzalez allowed a season-high seven earned runs Thursday night. It's the most he has given up since his season debut on April 4, 2014 when he allowed seven in 3 1/3 innings at Detroit.

Steve Clevenger went 1-for-4 as the designated hitter tonight. He said the Orioles have to quickly put this blowout loss in their rear view mirror.

"Exactly," Clevenger said. "We are not going to dwell on this game. We have three more games with these guys and will come ready tomorrow. They just the hit the ball. They came to play tonight. Just a bad game. We're going to come back tomorrow and be ready to play."

Clevenger said the Orioles catchers are trying to find ways right now to help Gonzalez turn his season around.

"It is really tough," Clevenger said. "We go in and watch video - me, Wheaty (Matt Wieters) and Caleb (Joseph) all the time - to help this guy out. He's a good pitcher. His past has proven he is a good pitcher. He's pitched in the AL East for a couple of years now. As a team we are going to find out what is going on with him and hopefully he'll be good down the stretch for us."

The Twins scored a season-high 15 runs tonight. It is their most against the Orioles since they scored 19 on July 16, 2012 at Minnesota and their most ever at Camden Yards. This is the Orioles' most lopsided loss since a 17-3 defeat to the Yankees on July 30, 2011 at Yankee Stadium.