Where's the O-Fence?

The O's dropped their third straight game last night, losing to Tampa Bay, 2-0.

After scoring 12 runs against the Yankees on Tuesday, the O's have managed to score just one run in their past three games. After being shut out just once this season, the Birds have been held scoreless in two of their past three games. What happened to the offense?

Jeremy Guthrie (2-5) was dominant, allowing just one run through 6 2/3 innings, yet once again he was tagged with a loss. Guthrie allowed just four hits and three walks, while striking out five. The bullpen wasn't spectacular, but held the Rays to just one unearned run through the final innings. It doesn't matter how spectacular the O's pitching is right now, since the bats continue to sputter.

It looked as if the O's were about to break through early in the game. Aubrey Huff led-off the third inning with a stand-up triple, and Kevin Millar followed with a walk. With runners at the corners and none out, the O's were able to produce no runs. None. Nothing.

When you have a man at third and none out, you have to bring him home. The Orioles have not been able to do that in the last few days. In the finale against New York, Freddie Bynum's RBI triple scored the O's only run. With one out, Bynum was stranded at third. Last night, Huff was thrown out at the plate after Ramon Hernandez hit a weak grounder to first base.

It's obvious the O's are having trouble at the plate. It's just frustrating considering they set a season high in runs scored just a few days ago...it feels like an eternity since that 12-2 drubbing.
Nick Markakis has really been slumping; he struck out three times Thursday and then twice last night. It's not just Markakis...the team has just 15 hits in the last three games.

I'm a firm believer in O's magic, and it looked as if the Birds might have been able to produce some in the eighth...with Markakis at first and one out, Huff hit what looked to be a fair ball down the first-base line, a sure double. It was called foul, and Huff then grounded into a double-play to end the inning. Dave Trembley was ejected after arguing the call. Either way, Markakis probably would have held-up at third, and the Birds would have needed a clutch hit to score a run...

I'm still optimistic that the bats will heat up again, but they need to in a hurry. Starter Steve Trachsel (2-4) takes the mound tonight, and he's been hit hard this season. Trachsel hasn't started in two weeks, and I'd be surprised if he didn't give up a couple of runs to the Rays potent offense. The O's bats will need to answer early and often to end this losing streak....Go O's!!!

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)