Well, the middle of the order knocked in some runs

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 06, 2011, 5:14pm

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I guess it's still about the pitching. After a 4-0 start, some were wondering when Derrek Lee and Vlad Guerrero would drive in some runs. Tonight, they have combined for three RBI, but the Orioles trail Detroit 6-3 in the seventh. Lee hit his first O's homer, an impressive two-run shot over the right field scoreboard on the first pitch from Justin Verlander in the fourth. Through three, the Tigers' right hander was looking like he had no-hit stuff. He retired the first nine batters on just 40 pitches. After the O's had made just one error in four games, they made two in the Detroit second and that opened the door for Alex Avila's two-run homer to break the scoreless tie. Brad Bergesen allowed four runs, just two earned, over 3 2/3 as the ERA of O's starter goes up from 0.69 to 1.21. With a loss tonight, the O's would miss their chance to tie the 1970 Birds for best-start ever by the franchise at 5-0.