Orioles are 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position in 9th loss in 12 games, 5-3 to Giants
BALTIMORE—The Orioles produced a little more offense than they had in recent games, but the result was still another loss, their ninth in 12 games.
Dean Kremer allowed five runs, and the Orioles were just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base in their 5-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants before 23,856 at Camden Yards on Wednesday night.
The Orioles (84-68) have lost four straight series, to Tampa Bay, Boston, Detroit and now the Giants (74-78).
For the second straight game, San Francisco’s Mike Yastrzemski began the game with a home run, and after the Orioles scored two runs in the bottom of the third on catcher James McCann’s double and an infield out by Cedric Mullins, the Giants answered with three runs in the top of the fourth.
After they loaded the bases with none out, Grant McCray tapped a ball to Kremer, who tossed it to McCann for an apparent force. But McCann’s foot wasn’t on home plate, and a run scored. Two more scored on Casey Schmitt’s single to give the Giants a 4-2 lead.
Michael Conforto hit a line drive home run to right, his 17th, leading off the sixth to make it 5-2..
Kremer (7-10) allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits in six innings, striking out seven without a walk.
The Orioles cut the lead to 5-3 in the sixth when Colton Cowser singled with two outs against Hayden Birdsong. Ryan O’Hearn’s double against left-hander Erik Miller scored Cowser. Emmanuel Rivera singled, but pinch-hitter Austin Slater struck out.
Birdsong (4-5) allowed three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Orioles loaded the bases with two outs, and Cowser flied to left. The Orioles didn’t have a baserunner in the final two innings.
Erik Miller, Sean Hjelle, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Walker combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Walker converted his eighth save.