Wrapping up a series sweep from Houston

HOUSTON - The defending World Series champs got the big hit when they needed it most and the Orioles did not. That was a key difference today, and during this series, as Houston beat the Orioles 3-2 this afternoon to sweep the three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

The Orioles fall to 1-5 as they head to Yankee Stadium. Their stretch of playing 10 straight against 2017 playoff teams to begin the new season will continue Thursday night.

Today, they went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. And while they seemed to have 2015 AL Cy Young Winner Dallas Keuchel on the ropes at times, they could never deliver the big hit to open a nice lead. They did lead 1-0 and 2-1, but Houston came back each time in improving to 6-1, its best seven-game start since 1988.

"We couldn't get that hit and that's a tribute to him," manager Buck Showalter said. "He kept us from really opening up a little bit and kept them in the game. That is kind of the difference. We had some opportunities in a couple of games to do that and haven't been able to draw on that."

The Orioles have scored two runs or less in four of their six games. They began today next-to-last in the league batting .176.

On the mound, opening day starter Dylan Bundy had another strong game. Over six innings, he gave up five hits and two runs (one earned) with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Today he became the first pitcher in Orioles history to record eight or more strikeouts in four consecutive road games. He has fanned 36 in 25 innings in a stretch of games against the Angels, A's, Blue Jays and Astros that began last Aug. 7.

"Dylan, that's been fun to watch," Showalter said. "You never think anything is a given going into a season. But to see him get off to this type of start. I thought coming out of the spring that he deserved to be our first starter. He really made you feel good about that confidence you had in him."

The starters other than Bundy have pitched to an ERA of 8.50, but Bundy has an ERA of 0.69 through two starts, with three walks to 15 strikeouts over 13 innings. Twins and Astros batters have gone 0-for-11 against him with runners in scoring position. He had some extra life on his fastball today and the pitch topped out at 94.4 mph.

"You know, them not swinging at pitches or swinging at pitches out of the zone," Bundy said. "That usually accounts for strikeouts. It's not like you look for them, but they do help, especially with guys in scoring position. But you have to work ahead of them to get there."

The Orioles got swept, but the last two games were tied going to the bottom of the seventh. But then Houston got clutch hits to score late and win. Today, it was Alex Bregman's single to left off Miguel Castro in the seventh to break the 2-2 tie. It scored No. 9 hitter Derek Fisher, who walked and stole second. It was Houston's only hit today with a runner in scoring position. But again, they needed it and got it.

They've won nine in a row versus the Orioles in this ballpark, where Baltimore is 1-12 since 2015. Houston is 14-2 in its last 16 against the Orioles.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop did get his bat going in this series. He went 3-for-4 today and 7-for-13 this series after going 1-for-13 versus Minnesota. Schoop had praise for Bundy while adding that the team will bounce back from its poor start.

"Dylan was really good today.," Schoop said. "A tough team. He pitched good and he didn't get the win. You're got to forget about today and go get the win tomorrow. You know, they were the champions last year. They are a really good team. We are, too. But things aren't going our way yet, but we've got to keep fighting and forget about this series and go to New York and try to win some games."