With another late-inning loss, it is apparent that the Orioles clubhouse has had enough.
Behind a three-run eighth, Arizona beat the O?s, 6-4, before an announced Father?s Day crowd of 27,934 at a sun-drenched Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
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The loss extended the team?s losing streak to eight, and the O?s (29-40) have dropped 13 of the past 15 game. It also prompted vocal veteran Kevin Millar to call a player?s only meeting Tuesday in San Diego.
“It?s brutal,” Millar said. “We?ve got to find a way to do something. Maybe we?ll have a team meeting; maybe we?ll get drunk on the way out there. Who knows? Wejust have to find a way to stop the bleeding now.”
The Orioles embark on an eight-day, six-game road trip, at San Diego and Arizona for three games each.
On Sunday, the Orioles again got a solid outing from their starter before handing over the game in the late inning.
Lefty Brian Burres shrugged off some soreness in his left shoulder – which prevented him from starting on Saturday – and struck out a career-high nine. He also got 15 straight batters out before a two-out walk in the seventh, and threw a season-high 115 pitches. He exited after seven innings to a standing ovation, with the game tied at three.
“I thought he was outstanding,” manager Sam Perlozzo said.
Arizona (39-30) was happy to see him go, and wasted no time illustrating that point ? scoring three runs with one out in the eighth.
“It just didn?t go our way,” Burres said.
Chad Bradford (0-4) allowed two runs – only one earned – to pick up the loss.
Arizona starter Brandon Webb, the 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner, threw 105 pitches over seven innings, scattering seven hits and three runs.
He got some early support from the Diamondbacks offense.
Former Oriole Eric Byrnes swung at the second pitch of the game, a 1-0 offering from starter Brian Burres, and deposited in the back of section 80 in left field, 385 feet from home plate. It was Byrnes? second leadoff homer this season, and the sixth of his career.
Arizona expanded that lead to three with a two-run top of the second. Catcher Chris Snyder homered to left to open the frame, and Augie Ojeda singled, stole second, took third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Connor Jackson single. Ojeda played in the O?s farm system from 1997-99.
In the bottom of the frame, the Orioles trimmed down a 3-0 disadvantage with a two-run inning of their own.
Jay Gibbons – 7-for-48 in his past 15 games entering Sunday – doubled twice.
Nick Markakis singled, doubled and reached on a fielder?s choice. He stole a pair of bases and scored a run in the eighth.
