O's game blog: A look at today's game and a few minor league notes

Now that the Orioles have ended that little four-game losing streak, they hope to start to build another winning streak starting this afternoon at Cleveland.

Last night's 6-4 victory came with only six strikeouts, but also with 13 hits. Adam Jones and Manny Machado combined to go 7-for-10 with two doubles, three runs and an RBI. Mark Trumbo hit his 15th homer and the Orioles went 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Today, they look to go 2-0 in this series, but they'll need Ubaldo Jimenez (2-5, 6.04 ERA) to pitch better than he has recently. Over his past two starts, Jimenez allowed 12 runs in 10 innings. In his last five starts, he is 1-3 with an ERA of 7.81. Opponents are batting .325 against him in that stretch.

Last year, Jimenez allowed six runs or more in four of 32 starts. This year he has done that in three of his past five starts.

After Jimenez's Sunday start at Anaheim, where he allowed six runs in 5 2/3 innings, manager Buck Showalter said, "We are not at that point yet," when asked if he soon must consider removing Jimenez from his rotation. Showalter said Jimenez is strong mentally and will get it going.

Jimenez also expressed confidence he can turn it around after his last start.

"It's always a test, any time you're not good for the team," he said. "But the thing about me, I never lose my confidence. I have it in my mind that things are going to change. I'm going to find a way to get back on track."

On the mound this afternoon for Cleveland will be right-hander Danny Salazar (4-3, 2.32 ERA), who will be making his 10th start. Salazar has some impressive numbers to include a 1.123 WHIP and a 5.8 hits allowed per every nine innings. He is averaging 4.3 walks per nine and 11.1 strikeouts. Opponent batters are hitting just .181 against Salazar.

While Salazar has allowed two runs or less seven times, the Indians are only 4-5 in his starts. But he has not gotten a lot of run support: They've scored three runs or less in five of his nine starts.

After his two-run homer last night, the Orioles' Mark Trumbo is tied for the major league lead with 15 home runs along with Todd Frazier (CWS) and Yoenis Cespedes (NYM). Machado had two doubles last night and is second in the majors with 19 doubles. Zach Britton is tied for second with 13 saves.

On the farm last night: Scranton beat Triple-A Norfolk 4-0 as the Tides were held to four hits. Mike Yastrzemski went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to six games. He is batting .390 in his first 11 games with the Tides. Lefty Brian Duensing has pitched two scoreless innings since joining the Tides.

The game was Ron Johnson's 625th as Norfolk's manager, tying him with Gary Allenson (2007-11) for the most in Tides franchise history. Norfolk's bullpen has allowed one earned run over 16 1/3 innings the last four games. Right-hander Pedro Beato worked a scoreless ninth inning, his ninth consecutive scoreless appearance.

Altoona beat Double-A Bowie 6-1 Friday. David Hess gave up two runs in five innings and is 2-3 with an ERA of 2.96. Garabez Rosa is 2-for-4 and is batting .338.

Single-A Frederick lost 3-1 at Carolina as the Keys went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Starter Lucas Long allowed three runs (one earned) over six innings. Right-hander Franderlin Romero, acquired by the Orioles from Cincinnati on Monday, today makes his O's debut when the Keys play Carolina at 5 p.m.

Single-A Delmarva fell to 27-20 with an 8-5 loss to Lakewood. Ademar Rifaela went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer. Ricardo Andujar had three hits and Yermin Mercedes was 2-for-4 and is batting .348.

Outfielder DJ Stewart recorded a walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning on Thursday night. He is batting .303 (10-for-33) with six walks, a double, home run, three runs scored and three RBIs over his last eight games, including three multi-hit performances in that span.

Bowie has moved pitcher Jayson Aquino to the bullpen and right-hander Parker Bridwell went on the disabled list this week. He is out with a broken rib and expected to miss about six to eight weeks.

The current Bowie rotation includes Hess, followed by recently promoted John Means making his Double-A debut tonight at Bowie, then newly acquired Brandon Barker, Chris Lee and Jason Garcia.