Notes on the O's slide, Steve Johnson and a mock draft (Bundy note)

Here are some of the numbers during the Orioles' recent stretch that has seen them lose five in a row and eight of 10 games. During the five-game skid, the Orioles have scored just 14 total runs with 43 left on base and a batting average of just .139 (5-for-36) with runners in scoring position. During the current 2-8 stretch, the Orioles are batting .243 as a team and averaging 4.0 runs per game. They are hitting .224 with RISP in that time with 11 homers. Over those 10 games, the team ERA is 5.02, the starting pitchers' ERA is 5.96 and those starters have produced just four quality starts in that time. Both the Orioles and Tampa Bay have hit the skids a bit. The Orioles are 10-13 since May 7. Tampa just lost three in a row to the White Sox, scoring just six total runs in that series. The Rays have lost eight of their last 13 and are 10-14 over their last 24 games. Meanwhile, fans have been asking me today about minor league pitcher Steve Johnson and if the Orioles will put him on the 40-man roster at some point today. I have tried to find out through several sources but have not heard for sure one way or the other. If they don't, there would not be any announcement about not doing something. I do know that Johnson was officially activated off the Norfolk disabled list this afternoon and will be pitching for the Tides tonight in the second game of their doubleheader. Earlier this week, I published this story about the possibility of Johnson taking the out in his contract as of midnight tonight and leaving the O's organization. That possibility still exists at this hour. Stay tuned. Baseball America's Jim Callis published his latest mock draft on the BA website tonight and he still lists the Orioles as taking LSU right-hander Kevin Gausman. The draft-eligible sophomore is 10-1 with an ERA of 2.84 for the Tigers this year. Bundy note: Frederick's scheduled game tonight at Wilmington was rained out and Dylan Bundy was scheduled to pitch. Those teams are now set for a 5 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday at Wilmington and Bundy is now slated to pitch game one of that twin bill. Minor league doubleheaders involve two seven-inning games and I would guess Bundy will pitch the first five innings of that game.