For his career, Jason Vargas is 10-15 with a 5.44 ERA, and yet the Orioles are making him look like Cliff Lee, who was pitching in a simulated game when I got to Safeco Field 5 1/2 hours ago.
Vargas has held the Orioles to just one first-inning run and three hits over six innings as the Mariners lead 2-1. Twice, the Orioles have had a man on second and no outs after a leadoff double, and both times, the guy never budged off second.
I know the Orioles miss Brian Roberts. I know Felix Pie's absence also is being felt. But there are no excuses for how much the lineup has struggled. The Orioles entered tonight with the fewest runs in the American League. They were also 16-for-100 (.160) with runners in scoring position, and they are 0-for-7 already tonight.
The shame of it is David Hernandez did a terrific job of calming down after a rocky first inning to get through six having allowed only two runs. You'd take that from your fifth starter any day.