Once again, the O's are in need of a good starting pitching performance

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

August 12, 2011, 4:06pm

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Alfredo Simon did not get his start tonight off to a promising start. The right-hander gave up single runs in the first two innings against Detroit on five singles and two walks. Simon enters with a record of 3-5 and 4.08 ERA and has never made a start against Detroit. The Orioles are once again in need of a good starting pitching performance. Chris Tillman went just 2 2/3 last night and O's starters pitched just 13 1/3 innings in the four-game series with Chicago, allowing 20 hits and 14 earned runs. Orioles starters have not posted a quality start over the last five games with an ERA of 7.62 in that stretch. They have just two quality starts (by Simon and Tillman) over the last 13 games with an ERA of 7.09 in that stretch. Meanwhile, maybe the O's hitters will get to Detroit starter Brad Penny. Over his last three starts, he is 0-3 with an ERA of 7.94. In nine road starts this season, he is 3-5 with an ERA of 6.36. J.J. Hardy hit a two-run homer in the first for the Orioles. It was his 22nd of the year, his fourth in six games and his eighth in the last 15 games. Hardy has hit ten of his 22 homers this year at home where he has an OPS of .885 compared to .787 on the road.