Orioles offense hits another low in 1-0 loss

OAKLAND - The Orioles couldn't score in the top of the first inning tonight after getting a leadoff single from Adam Jones and a double from J.J. Hardy, plus two wild pitches from Athletics starter Ross Detwiler.

They couldn't score in the second inning after Chris Davis singled with one out.

They couldn't score in the fourth inning after back-to-back, two-out singles by Jonathan Schoop and Davis.

They couldn't score in the fifth inning after Nolan Reimold's leadoff single and second baseman Max Muncy's dropped popup. Right fielder Danny Valencia picked up the ball and threw to second base to force Reimold.

The A's can't catch a popup and the Orioles can't catch a break.

They also can't stay in first place after a 1-0 loss to the A's that puts them on the cusp of an embarrassing four-game sweep. Chris Tillman will need to be the stopper on Thursday.

The Orioles have lost eight of their last 10 series in Oakland. Don't try to figure it out.

The rotation turned in its sixth consecutive quality start, with Yovani Gallardo allowing one run and four hits over six innings, but Detwiler wouldn't break. The Orioles squared him up and produced a zero.

Gallardo has completed six innings in four of his last five starts. He's allowed two runs or fewer in three of his last four. He took a loss tonight that he didn't earn.

Marcus Semien and Yonder Alonso doubled with two outs in the third inning for the game's only run. Gallardo retired 10 of the last 12 batters he faced.

Brad Brach retired all five batters he faced, striking out the last two. Zach Britton walked Alonso and struck out Khris Davis.

Detwiler hadn't worked more than 7 1/3 innings in his career, but he retired 12 in a row to get through the eighth at 108 pitches. John Axford recorded his second save after Manny Machado led off with an infield hit.

Mark Trumbo followed Machado's single by strking out to complete an 0-for-4 night. He's 15-for-95 (.158) since the break.

Detwiler allowed six hits, walked none and struck out two. For one night, at least, he looked like a former first-round pick.

The Orioles are doing that to a lot of pitchers lately, having scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five games and three runs or fewer in 11 of 16. They've lost the three games in this series by scores of 3-2, 2-1 and 1-0.

The Orioles fell to 63-50 overall, 24-33 on the road and 10-19 against the American League West. The thud really echoes at Oakland Coliseum.