O's game blog: Orioles try to snap 10-game road losing streak

The Orioles have lost four in a row, not winning since Sunday at home versus Detroit. They have lost 10 straight road games, not winning since Sunday April 8 at New York. Tonight they try to end both streaks at Oakland in the second of three games in this series.

The road trip started with the Orioles being swept three at Anaheim, as they were outscored 25-12 by the Angels. Last night they trailed 4-1 after one inning, tied the game in the sixth, only to lose 6-4 at Oakland.

The Orioles have fallen to 8-24 overall and begin play in last place, 15 games behind Boston in the American League East. They have the worst record in the AL with losses in five of six, 10 of 12 and 18 of the last 22 games.

O's pitchers have allowed 81 runs the last 14 games, for 5.8 per contest. The last three O's starters - Dylan Bundy, Chris Tillman and Andrew Cashner - have allowed 20 hits and 18 runs (15 earned) in a combined 10 innings. That has increased the rotation ERA for the year from 5.25 to 5.75.

Since the beginning of the 2012 season, Orioles' hitters lead the majors with 1,372 home runs hit and also lead the majors in fewest number of errors committed with 522. But the 2018 club does not excel in either area. This year, the club has 33 homers to rank 18th in the majors and has made 24 errors, to tie for the fifth-most in MLB.

The Oakland A's (16-16) have won 11 of their past 17 games. They have been at the .500 three times in the last five days. Oakland has won six of its last seven home games, going 9-6 at home for the season.

The Athletics are 9-14 versus the AL West, but 7-2 against everyone else. In those nine games, they've averaged 6.9 runs per game.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2, 4.15 ERA) gets the start tonight, his seventh of the season. Gausman allowed one run and five hits over 5 2/3 Sunday, throwing 106 pitches. He has three quality starts and the Orioles are 3-3 in his games.

Over his last four starts, Gausman has allowed eight earned runs in 25 2/3 innings for an ERA of 2.81. Gausman's ERA has been trending down since his first start of 2018. It began at 13.50 after his first game and then went to 8.00, 6.60, 5.57, 4.66 and 4.15 after that last game.

Pitching on five day's rest tonight, Gausman will make his fourth career start versus Oakland. He is 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA over the first three, allowing 19 hits and eight runs in 17 innings.

Right-hander Travor Cahill (1-1, 3.00 ERA) will get the ball for Oakland. He has made two quality starts and Oakland is 2-1 in his starts. For the year he's pitched 18 innings, allowing 13 hits and seven runs with five walks, 19 strikeouts and an average against of .206. He is 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA in four career starts against Baltimore, but has not faced the Orioles since the 2010 season.