Today's game and yesterday's All-Star selections

NEW YORK - The Orioles have lost four of their last five games, and taking an early lead against the Yankees hasn't mattered. They are now 30-20 when scoring first this season. Need some good news? The Orioles only struck out seven times yesterday, breaking their streak of fanning at least 10 times in three consecutive games. Details on the parade down Pratt St. will be announced at a later date. The Orioles were supposed to miss Hiroki Kuroda in this series, but he's now substituting for Phil Hughes - which is like Kate Upton substituting for Roseanne. Chris Davis is 5-for-17 with two home runs against Kuroda. Adam Jones is 6-for-19. Nick Markakis is 5-for-16 with a home run. J.J. Hardy is 3-for-21 with a homer. Jason Hammel is 3-3 with a 5.46 ERA in 16 career games against the Yankees, including 10 starts. He's allowed 71 hits in 57 2/3 innings. Hammel was considered a possible All-Star selection last season, but it's been a different story in 2013. He's 7-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts, and though he's gone seven innings in his last two starts, he allowed five runs and nine hits in his most recent outing in Chicago. Hammel has registered one quality start in his last four starts and is searching for his first win since May 27. Ichiro Suzuki is 10-for-23 (.435) against Hammel. Vernon Wells is 6-for-17 (.353) with two homers. Robinson Cano is 11-for-35 (.314) with two doubles and a home run. Lyle Overbay is 1-for-17. The Orioles are the only team with three starters in the All-Star Game. It's a credit to their higher national profile and some serious ballot-box stuffing by Orioles fans. Nate McLouth placed fifth among American League outfielders with 3,221,179 votes, ahead of Nelson Cruz (3,101,804), Torii Hunter (3,051,156) and Jacoby Ellsbury (2,587,879). Brian Roberts, who's played in nine games, finished sixth among second basemen with 1,512,425. Nolan Reimold, who's played in 35 games and is batting .196, finished sixth among designated hitters with 1,446,259 votes. It's understandable that fans wanted more Orioles to be represented, but it will benefit catcher Matt Wieters to rest for four days. Same with closer Jim Johnson - and as far as we know he's still the closer - and right fielder Markakis. Shortstop Hardy certainly could use a break, but at least he will get two days off following the game. Teammates were disappointed that Markakis didn't make the team as a starter or reserve. You can argue whether he's deserving with a .288/.336/.405 line with eight homers and 43 RBIs, but he's been so consistently good over his career that he should receive the honor at some point before he retires. "I think of Nick Markakis, a guy that, playing against him for a number of years, I always thought he was an All-Star," said Davis. "I was kind of surprised to find out he had never made it." Jones was happy to find out that Manny Machado had made the team as a reserve. "Oh yeah, he's having a great year," Jones said." You know there are going to be some snubs, and it's always a tough decision from the manager's standpoint, I'm sure, because there are always guys who put up numbers. But the guy leads baseball in doubles and multi-game hits. I know he's 21 today, but he's deserving of it. Some are like, he was picked (because) of the team. No, he went out there and earned his spot on this team." "It's awesome," Hardy said. "I'm happy to hear that. I think everyone kind of expected Chris Davis, so it wasn't a big surprise. Manny, that's awesome."