O's game blog: The search for offense continues

The Orioles keep looking for some offense and continue not finding much. In the four games of their current road trip - all losses - they have scored two, one, two and two runs. That is seven runs on 30 hits, and they've gone 3-for-27 (.111) with runners in scoring position.

They'll try again today to get the bats going in the third game of a four-game series at Minnesota. The Twins began this series with a six-game losing streak, 11 losses in 13 games and were coming off a 1-8 road trip. But they have posted wins by 3-2 and 6-2.

Minnesota is 4-1 versus the Orioles this year, with four straight wins since they lost on opening day in Baltimore. The Twins have won 10 of 13 and 18 of the last 26 games between these teams.

On the mound today for the Orioles, right-hander Kevin Gausman (4-6, 4.05 ERA) makes his 18th start. On July 1, Gausman pitched eight innings, allowing six hits and two runs on 104 pitches against the Los Angeles Angels. Gausman has 10 quality starts, but the Orioles are only 5-12 in his games.

Over his past five games, Gausman has recorded four quality starts and is 1-1 with a 2.78 ERA. That has reduced his season ERA from 4.63 to its current level. He's allowed two earned runs or fewer four times in that span. Gausman is 2-3 with a 6.10 ERA in seven starts during day games. He is 2-3 with a 2.81 ERA in 10 night game starts.

Right-hander Kyle Gibson (2-6, 3.58 ERA) will take the mound for the Twins. While he is having a good year, he's allowed eight earned runs and 19 hits over 12 innings in his past two starts. For the season, he has thrown seven or more innings four times, with nine quality starts. The Twins are 7-10 in his 17 outings.

Gibson pitched a strong game on March 31 in Baltimore. Over six innings he did not allow a hit or a run, with five walks and six strikeouts on 102 pitches. In eight home starts in 2018, he is 0-4 with a 4.53 ERA.

Mark Trumbo hit three home runs in two games July 1-3. Since June 17, he ranks second in the American League and is tied for third in the majors with eight home runs. Trumbo has 11 homers this season and led the majors with 47 home runs in 2016. He made his season debut on May 1 at Los Angeles against the Angels after beginning the season on the disabled list with a right quad strain.

On this date in 1970, the first three Oriole batters reached in the bottom of the 10th inning before Brooks Robinson delivered a game-winning grand slam off Lindy McDaniel in a 6-2 win over the Yankees at Memorial Stadium. Mike Cuellar went the distance for his 10th win.

Double-A Bowie outfielder Ryan McKenna's bat has started to get going a bit for the Baysox and he's now batting .267 in 16 games. McKenna is 9-for-27 (.333) during a seven-game hitting streak.