Ubaldo Jimenez allows six runs as O's lose series finale

The 2015 season has taken a bad turn for Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. After ending the first half with an ERA of 0.45 over his last three starts, he has struggled in three of his four second-half starts.

Today, Jimenez allowed six runs or more for the third time in four games as the Detroit Tigers beat the Orioles 6-1 at Camden Yards. The teams split the four-game series. For the Orioles, it was their second loss in nine games, and they fall to 53-51. They went 5-2 on this homestand and begin a nine-game road trip at Oakland on Monday night.

Jimenez allowed a three-run homer to J.D. Martinez during a 25-pitch first inning and was knocked from the game during Detroit's three-run fifth. Over 4 2/3 innings, he gave up six hits and six runs, throwing 88 pitches. He is 8-7 with an ERA of 4.04. Over those past four starts, Jimenez has pitched to an ERA of 10.60, allowing 22 runs and 25 hits in 18 2/3 innings.

In this series, the Orioles got three starts of 4 2/3 innings or less. While Kevin Gausman allowed just two runs in seven innings last night, the other three starters gave up 17 runs over 11 1/3 innings against Detroit.

Jorge Rondon followed Jimenez and pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings to help save the O's bullpen today. That could prove big as the road trip starts on Monday. But O's pitchers allowed 24 runs in this series.

The Orioles offense, which produced 22 runs in the first three games of the series, got just one today. Daniel Norris, making his first start for the Tigers after Friday's trade with Toronto, got the win. He went 7 1/3 innings, allowing just four hits and the one run on 84 pitches. Norris is ranked as the No. 18 prospect in the sport by Baseball America.

Chris Davis homered with one out in the fourth for the Orioles' only run. Davis hit No. 26 and drove in his 72nd run on a 2-1 fastball. Those homer and RBI totals match his 2014 totals. Over his last 12 games, Davis has hit seven homers with 19 RBIs.

Now, the Orioles head to the West Coast for nine games, starting Monday night at Oakland. Right-hander Tyler Wilson (1-1, 2.12 ERA) is expected to make that start and face A's right-hander Jesse Chavez (5-10, 3.53 ERA).