Orioles fall 3-2 to Houston, get swept in three-game series

HOUSTON - The Orioles were hoping opening day starter Dylan Bundy could give them a big effort today and take them deep into the game. If he could, they might leave Houston with at least one win.

Bundy pitched well and through the sixth inning. But as they did all series, the Astros came up with offense when they needed it. They pushed across a run against reliever Miguel Castro in the last of the seventh to snap a 2-2 tie and pick up a 3-2 win.

Houston (6-1) sweeps the three-game series. It's the third straight year the Orioles have been swept at Minute Maid Park, where they are 1-12 since 2015. They've lost nine in a row here and fall to 1-5 to start the year as they head to Yankee Stadium for a four-game series beginning Thursday night.

Castro replaced Bundy to start the seventh of a 2-2 tie. No. 9 hitter Derek Fisher walked with one out and stole second with two outs. Alex Bregman lined a 3-2 slider into left to score him for the go-ahead run. Houston had been 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position until Bregman's hit.

The Orioles scored first today in the first off lefty Dallas Keuchel. Tim Beckham singled to lead off and went to third on Jonathan Schoop's single. Adam Jones hit a pop to short right field and second baseman Jose Altuve apparently lost the ball in the sun as it fell to the grass. He did turn it into a 4-6 force at second, but a run scored for the 1-0 lead.

Houston got even in the second. Josh Reddick, who hit two homers and drove in six last night, led off with a single and went to third on a Marwin Gonzalez double. But Bundy did a solid job to minimize the damage and just one run scored. Jake Marisnick's one-out groundout tied the game at 1-1.

The Orioles went back ahead in the fourth on a Gonzalez throwing error at shortstop. Trying to turn an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play, his throw got by first as Danny Valencia scored. Valencia had drawn a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Caleb Joseph's single.

Houston scored an unearned run in the sixth for a 2-2 tie. With one out, Altuve and Reddick singled with Altuve advancing to third on a throwing error by right fielder Anthony Santander. He scored on Gonzalez's squeeze bunt.

Bundy went six innings, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) with two walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 98 pitches, 66 for strikes, and his ERA is 0.69 through two starts. He was solid versus a Houston team that had scored 38 runs its first six games to lead the league.

Keuchel allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) with four walks and three strikeouts. He threw 104 pitches in a no-decision. Right-hander Brad Peacock got the win in relief.

Schoop struck out to end the game, but went 3-for-4 for the Orioles and was 7-for-13 in this series.

With five straight losses, the Orioles road trip now heads for New York, where Andrew Cashner (0-1, 7.20 ERA) faces Masahiro Tanaka (1-0, 1.50 ERA) tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium.