Orioles lose five out of six games early in second half
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
The Orioles started the second half with four straight victories on the road -- a three-game sweep over the Texas Rangers and a 9-2 win in the series opener against the Kansas City Royals -- to close within 2 1/2 games of the American League East division lead. But they lost the final three games in Kansas City and then two out of three against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards to fall to five games back in the division. They never came closer than 4 1/2 games behind in the AL East for the rest of the season.
The Orioles started the second half with four straight victories on the road -- a three-game sweep over the Texas Rangers and a 9-2 win in the series opener against the Kansas City Royals -- to close within 2 1/2 games of the American League East division lead. But they lost the final three games in Kansas City and then two out of three against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards to fall to five games back in the division. They never came closer than 4 1/2 games behind in the AL East for the rest of the season. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
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Orioles routed, 11-0, at Camden Yards by Astros
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun
On a day the Orioles acquired their opponent's best starting pitcher (Bud Norris) in a trade, they fell apart on the field in an 11-0 loss to the Houston Astros on July 31 at Camden Yards. Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez allowed nine runs (four earned) and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. The Orioles' only extra-base hit came on a ground-rule double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth by backup catcher Taylor Teagarden -- who replaced starter Matt Wieters, pictured, to start the eighth. It was also the second time in three games that the Orioles were shut out by an opponent after the Red Sox beat them, 5-0, on July 28.
On a day the Orioles acquired their opponent's best starting pitcher (Bud Norris) in a trade, they fell apart on the field in an 11-0 loss to the Houston Astros on July 31 at Camden Yards. Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez allowed nine runs (four earned) and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. The Orioles' only extra-base hit came on a ground-rule double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth by backup catcher Taylor Teagarden -- who replaced starter Matt Wieters, pictured, to start the eighth. It was also the second time in three games that the Orioles were shut out by an opponent after the Red Sox beat them, 5-0, on July 28. (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun)
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Orioles swept in three-game series in Arizona
Norm Hall, Getty Images
The Orioles won four out of five games to start an eight-game road trip on the West Coast in August, but the summer vacation turned ugly quickly. The Arizona Diamondbacks scored three consecutive walk-off victories over the Orioles, including two in extra innings. Diamondbacks left fielder Adam Eaton hit his first home run of the season for a 7-6 win on Aug. 12. Then, Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt led off the bottom of the 11th with a solo homer the next day for a 4-3 win after he hit a game-tying shot two innings earlier. Finally, the Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill won the series finale on Aug. 14 with an RBI single in the 14th inning.
The Orioles won four out of five games to start an eight-game road trip on the West Coast in August, but the summer vacation turned ugly quickly. The Arizona Diamondbacks scored three consecutive walk-off victories over the Orioles, including two in extra innings. Diamondbacks left fielder Adam Eaton hit his first home run of the season for a 7-6 win on Aug. 12. Then, Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt led off the bottom of the 11th with a solo homer the next day for a 4-3 win after he hit a game-tying shot two innings earlier. Finally, the Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill won the series finale on Aug. 14 with an RBI single in the 14th inning. (Norm Hall, Getty Images)
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Struggles with runners in scoring position
Jim Rogash, Getty Images
The Orioles' inability to produce with runners in scoring position down the stretch has been well documented. But their struggles hurt them the most during a nine-game road trip in late August and early September against three playoff contenders. The Orioles went 3-6 during that span against the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. They batted .214 (14-for-65) with runners in scoring position in those games.
The Orioles' inability to produce with runners in scoring position down the stretch has been well documented. But their struggles hurt them the most during a nine-game road trip in late August and early September against three playoff contenders. The Orioles went 3-6 during that span against the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. They batted .214 (14-for-65) with runners in scoring position in those games. (Jim Rogash, Getty Images)
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Losing three out of four games at home to Yankees
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
Despite their failure to produce with runners in scoring position in the final months of the season, the Orioles remained in contention for a berth in the postseason. After beating the New York Yankees on Sept. 9, the Orioles were 1 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the final wild-card spot. But they couldn't capitalize on their opportunity to gain ground as they lost the last three games of the series against the Yankees at Camden Yards and dropped into fourth place in the American League East division.
Despite their failure to produce with runners in scoring position in the final months of the season, the Orioles remained in contention for a berth in the postseason. After beating the New York Yankees on Sept. 9, the Orioles were 1 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the final wild-card spot. But they couldn't capitalize on their opportunity to gain ground as they lost the last three games of the series against the Yankees at Camden Yards and dropped into fourth place in the American League East division. (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)
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