Orioles' bats can't support Cabrera

Pitcher works into 8th; O's get 3 hits

By Jeff Zrebiec | Sun reporter

May 4, 2008

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The thought crossed Orioles manager Dave Trembley's mind early in yesterday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.

"The way [Jon] Garland was pitching, it looked like our best hope was to win the game 1-0," Trembley said.

It's becoming an all-too-familiar feeling for the Orioles, who continue to waste solid outings by their starting pitchers because of a slumping offense, which struggles to string together hits, never mind runs. Trying to protect a one-run lead, Daniel Cabrera finally cracked in the sixth inning, and the Orioles fell, 3-1, in front of an announced 37,601 at sun-drenched Angel Stadium.

Garland and closer Francisco Rodriguez combined to three-hit the Orioles, facing only two batters more than the minimum. Garland (4-3), who had allowed 51 hits and 24 earned runs in his first six outings, surrendered just three hits and one run over eight commanding innings.

After outfielder Luke Scott was tagged out in a rundown after his second-inning RBI single that gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead, Garland retired 13 straight batters.

The Orioles had just two batters reach second base and have been held to three runs or fewer in five of the past seven games. They have scored just one run in a game three times during that stretch.

"We're just trying hard," said catcher Ramon Hernandez, who was 0-for-3 and is hitting .184. "I think when we hit the ball good, it was right at them, so there's nothing much you can do with that."

It was the first time this season the Orioles lost a game in which Cabrera started. However, it was no fault of Cabrera, who turned in 7 1/3 solid innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out six.

It marked the first time in Cabrera's career he has had five straight quality starts, and the second time in his career he has gone at least six innings in six consecutive outings.

"I'm not even counting," Cabrera said. "I'm just going game by game and trying to do the best I can."

Cabrera (2-1) took a shutout bid into the sixth inning, giving up just two hits to that point. However, his problems started in the inning when he hit Brandon Wood with a 3-2 pitch and then issued a one-out walk to Chone Figgins. Reggie Willits followed by lining a single into right field to tie the game at 1. Former Oriole Gary Matthews Jr. then gave the Angels (19-13) the lead with a sacrifice fly.

The Orioles had a chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh after Melvin Mora's one-out double, which gave them their first base runner since the second inning. However, Aubrey Huff grounded out and then Kevin Millar flied out to center. Millar, who was removed from the cleanup slot a day earlier, is 4-for-38 over his past 10 games, his average dropping to .204.

"He hit his spots today, period," Millar said of Garland. "He threw a good game. Cabrera threw a good game. Both guys were pounding the strike zone. It was a good game. We just lost."

The Angels added a run in the bottom of the eighth, as a groundout by Matthews scored Figgins from third, giving Rodriguez an insurance run. He didn't need it, retiring the Orioles in order for his 12th save.

Cabrera, who immediately retreated to the weight room after the game, was clearly frustrated by the result. "I have to be upset. I lost. The team lost," he said.

However, several Orioles praised the pitcher for his continued progress, which wasn't rewarded yesterday.

"Every time he goes out he wants to go deep in the game," Hernandez said. "He's not the same guy that always gets hit, then starts getting mad and starts throwing at people. ... He's a grown man. He definitely knows that he's got to go deep in the game, and he's got the ability to go deep in the game and keep the games close."

jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com