Trying to reverse the losing (Scott and Kline recalled, plus notes)

SEATTLE - It is kind of a cycle the Orioles can't seem to get out of right now. At some point, all the losing was bound to take a toll on everyone in Birdland - and that includes the players.

We have reached that point.

The losing streak has reached nine and the longest of the year in the majors by any team is 10. Can the O's win tonight to avoid that? It will be tough.

When John Means went to the injured list yesterday, that meant the Orioles were going to use a bullpen game tonight. Those are hard to win. Many relievers are usually called on and one or two may be off enough to get you beat. The Orioles announced that left-hander Sean Gilmartin will start tonight's game, his first appearance with the club since last Sep. 29.

But the leaks are everywhere right now. The Orioles have played four games on this road trip and been outscored 32-9. They have just 17 hits on their trek through Oakland and Seattle and just one extra-base hit. They were held to four singles last night and had just one hit in the last six innings.

On defense in recent weeks, there have been lapses. Missed cutoff men and errors that loomed large at times.

The pitching ranks last in the American League in team ERA. During the losing streak, the bullpen ERA is 10.70. On this trip, the Orioles have been outscored by just 11-6 over the first five innings of the four games. But that number is 21-3 from the sixth inning on.

After last night's game, manager Brandon Hyde admitted that the lack of offense is putting too much pressure on the pitchers recently.

"Yes. We don't add on leads. And we don't add on runs. It seems like once we get down these last couple of weeks we have a hard time getting back in it. We're having a tough time against major league bullpens that are going right through us as of late. We did a nice job in the first and didn't do anything after that," he said following Thursday's 5-2 loss.

At some point, this losing streak will end. But rebuilding is as hard as advertised. The front office doesn't want to rush players to the big leagues and you can't bring up a kid right now and ask him to try and save the ship. No doubt better days are coming, but that won't help the Orioles get a win tonight.

After optioning Evan Phillips and Paul Fry to Triple-A Norfolk following last night's game, the Orioles have recalled left-hander Tanner Scott from Norfolk and right-hander Branden Kline from Double-A Bowie.

Scott has posted a 3.57 ERA over 22 2/3 innings with Norfolk this season. Kline has had three innings of work with the Baysox since being optioned, allowing one hit and two walks while punching out four batters.

Farm notes: Infielder Adam Hall is expected to return to the lineup tonight at Single-A Delmarva. He was on the inactive list since June 9 attending to a family matter. He was activated by the Shorebirds yesterday and should be back on the field tonight. Hall, who was named a South Atlantic League All-Star, is batting .321/.398/.420 with 14 doubles, a triple, two homers and 24 RBIs. He ranks fourth in the league in batting average.

Double-A Bowie outfielder Yusniel Diaz should return to the Baysox lineup tonight. He has missed a few games while on the paternity leave list.

We may get further word later today on Triple-A outfielder Austin Hays. He left Norfolk's game Wednesday after just one at-bat, reportedly with a hamstring injury. In 10 games with the Tides, he's batting .216/.256/.351. This could turn into an injury list move for Hays.

Note: The Orioles annouced this afternoon that outfielder Joey Rickard has been claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants. He was designated for assignment by the team on Monday.