Some streak talk and a take on Tommy Hunter

Jinx alert, here comes the mention of streaks. The Orioles have won five games in a row and they've all been games decided by one or two runs. They have now won nine straight games decided by one or two runs. Their record in one- and two-run games is 13-6. Here is a real good streak note: Orioles starting pitchers have gone 12 straight games allowing three or fewer earned runs with an ERA of 3.04 in that stretch. That is impressive. If mention of streaks makes you nervous, what are you doing reading a baseball blog? We mention a lot of stats here. If you believe I will be to blame when the streaks end, go ahead and blame me. You'll be off base, but go ahead. O's starters have allowed just four runs in 14 innings in the Houston series. During the five-game winning streak, O's starters have allowed 10 earned runs over 31 innings for a 2.90 ERA. Delmon Young came up with a timely infield single in the last of the ninth last night. It tied the game, so yeah, that was big. It ended a 42 at-bat RBI drought for the veteran, who is batting .327. Here was a tweet that came from ESPN's Jayson Stark late last night: * Orioles did something amazing tonight. Scored in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th innings. Scored tying or go-ahead run 4 innings in a row. But despite the winning streak and 1 1/2 game lead atop the AL East, I know there is concern, and in some corners all-out panic over Tommy Hunter. Over his last three appearances, Hunter is 2-for-3 in save chances. But over 2 2/3 innings, he's allowed seven hits in 14 at-bats and four runs. He's been scored on each game. He's giving up a batting average of .308 to lefty batters, .375 to righties and has allowed six hits in 12 at-bats against leadoff batters. When he pitches with the bases empty, opponents are batting .478 against Hunter. There is reason to be concerned. I know Buck Showalter usually says how hard it is to close games when questioned about Hunter, but he is probably concerned, too. One thing Hunter probably needs is some rest and a few games off. He has pitched in four of the last five games and six times in 10 games this month. Showalter certainly won't bail on his closer now. But he also probably hopes that the O's win a few games that are not nail-biters sometime soon so he can give his struggling closer some needed rest. Meanwhile, the O's continue to pull out close games and they're enjoying life at the top of the AL East for now.