O's game blog: Bud Norris returns from the DL today to start for the O's

The numbers for the Orioles offense were good - in April. But since then, we've seen nothing but inconsistency that has led to losses. Losses in winnable games like Saturday, where the O's could have forced extra innings with just two runs and won with three. But they could not do that.

The O's offense:

* Has produced one run or less 11 times this year.
* Has produced two runs or less in five of the last nine and 14 of the last 27 games.
* Has produced three runs or fewer in 24 games and the Orioles are 3-21 in those games.
* Has produced six hits or fewer in eight of the last 15 games.
* Has gone without a homer in 19 games this season and the Orioles are 4-15 in those games.
* Has scored just 16 runs in the six games of this road trip for 2.66 per game and the O's are 2-4 on the trip.

I'd say it's time for more runs at this point, said everyone.

On the mound this afternoon, Bud Norris (1-4, 9.88) makes his first Orioles start since May 10. He has been on the DL, retroactive to May 11, with bronchitis.

Norris made three rehab starts. They got a little better each time, and on Wednesday, he pitched four scoreless innings without allowing a hit for Triple-A Norfolk. He was limited to four innings so he could return to pitch today on three days' rest.

Two big differences for Norris between last year and this season are his average against versus lefty batters and with runners in scoring position:

Norris in 2014: Allowed a .255 average vs. LHB and a .173 average with RISP
Norris in 2015: Allowed a .421 average vs. LHB and a .407 average with RISP

Right-hander Carlos Carrasco (7-4, 3.92 ERA) gets the start for the Indians. Over his last three starts, he is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.71. In five home starts in 2015, Carrasco is 3-2 with a 4.39 ERA.

On the farm last night: Right-hander Joe Gunkel made his O's organizational debut Saturday and pitched six scoreless frames in a 1-0 win for Double-A Bowie at Portland. Gunkel allowed five hits and struck out three batters facing his former team.

Boston's 18th-round pick in 2013, Gunkel was traded to the Orioles for outfielder Alejandro De Aza on Wednesday. By chance, his first start for Bowie came against his former Portland team, the Double-A affiliate of the Red Sox. He was efficient, with an eight-pitch first inning en route to a 73-pitch effort in six innings.

A Hershey, Pa., native, Gunkel started this year with Single-A Salem and went 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA. With Portland, he went 2-1 with a 3.93 ERA.

We end with this note today: On June 6, 2014 the Orioles were 6 1/2 games out of first place. On June 6, 2015, they are 5 1/2 games out.