O's reach the halfway point today in first, but with rotation concerns

SEATTLE - First, the good news: The Orioles will reach the halfway point of the 2016 season today and will be in first place. They are 47-33 and will either be on a 94 or 96-win pace after today's game. They will lead the American League East by, at worst, three games at the 81-game mark.

Now the not so good news: The Orioles' rotation continues to be an issue, one that threatens to derail this team over the second half. The rotation problems could make it difficult for the offense to keep outscoring its mistakes and also put pressure on a bullpen trying to keep it going right now without Darren O'Day.

After Tyler Wilson gave up a career-high eight runs over three-plus innings in last night's 12-6 loss to Seattle, the O's starters ERA for the season is 5.07. That ranks 13th in the American League and is at its highest point since April 26.

O's starters have just two quality starts the last seven games with an ERA of 7.79 in that span. Over the last 15 games, O's starters have five quality starts and an ERA of 6.43. In the last 20 games, 12 times O's starters have pitched five or fewer innings.

The Orioles have done quite well to have the record they do with a rotation ERA of 5.07. Three of the O's current five starters have ERAs of 5.22 or higher.

After Wilson allowed three homers last night, manager Buck Showalter was asked if he would consider removing Wilson from the rotation.

"We have to play games every night, and pitchers pitch every fifth day," Showalter said. "If there's an adjustment to be made, he'll make it. We talked to him, he's tried to make some adjustments, but he's not the only one. We just haven't been able to get very deep in games with our starters for what's been a pretty extended period, with some exceptions. That puts a real toll on your bullpen."

After the Orioles scored just five runs in the first two games in Seattle, they scored six runs last night. Does that at least give the offense some momentum for today's game?

"Well each game is different," catcher Matt Wieters said. "First and foremost we have to pitch better and play defense better to have a chance. But tomorrow is a whole different day and we have to forget about this one and move forward."

The Orioles are now 1-5 against the Mariners and have been outscored 41-18 in those games and out-homered 14-5. They have lost three straight in this series and been out-homered 9-3 at Safeco Field.

A few notes on the hitters:

* Chris Davis hit his 21st homer last night. It was his 182nd with Baltimore, tying him with Ken Singleton for 8th all-time in team history. Davis drove in three runs to record his fifth game this year with three or more RBIs. Over his past seven games he is 11-for-29 (.379) with five homers and 12 RBIs.

* Jonathan Schoop has reached base safely in 14 straight games, including hits in 13 games. During this stretch dating back to June 18, he is batting .458 (27-for-59) with 20 runs scored, eight doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs and four walks.

* Manny Machado has 12 multi-hit contests in his last 16 games. In this stretch Machado is batting .437 (31-for-71) with 16 runs scored, six doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs.

* Adam Jones has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games with six multi-hit contests. During this stretch he is batting .351 (20-for-57) with 16 runs, three homers and 11 RBIs.

The Orioles have lost three games at Safeco Field by scores of 5-3, 5-2 and 12-6. The starting pitchers have allowed 15 runs over 13 2/3 innings in this series. If the Orioles lost today, Seattle will have its first four-game home sweep of the Orioles since June 22-25, 2000.

Update: Left-hander Ariel Miranda is in the Orioles' clubhouse. Miranda has spent this season with Triple-A Norfolk. In his last three starts, the Cuban-born pitcher hasn't allowed a run in 19 innings.