For the first time in almost a month the Baltimore Orioles have dropped from firs place in the AL East standings.
At the start of the season, you would have been crazy for stating that the Orioles would lead the division containing the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Ray into June; but after a fantastic start, the O’s were in just that position as of last week.
After dropping two-of-three to the Kansas City Royals in late May, Baltimore stared down one of their biggest tests of the season. Facing a nine-game road trip against three division rivals, the Orioles have struggled to get by.
Now six games into the road trip, Baltimore has lost 5 of 6 games, including a three-game sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays (only their second of the season). They also lost back-to-back series for the first time this year against the Tampa Bay Rays, leaving the O’s in second place facing the Red Sox in Boston on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
It also does not help the Orioles that the recently extended Adam Jones has been hampered by a wrist injury the last couple days. X-Rays were reported as negative, but this injury definitely hurts Baltimore’s offense that only scored five runs in the Rays series.
The Orioles will look to get back on track, finishing up their trip this week in Boston. They will have to stand tall in five straight interleague series against the Phillies, Pirates, Braves, Mets, and finally the Washington Nationals, who will travel to Camden Yards June 22nd-24th.
