Orioles lose 6th in a row, 17th straight on road; Sloppy defense doesn't help Harvey - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Rich Dubroff

Orioles lose 6th in a row, 17th straight on road; Sloppy defense doesn’t help Harvey

It was a complete breakdown for the Orioles on Tuesday night. Starting pitcher Matt Harvey struggled again. Oriole hitters struck out 14 times. They committed four errors. It added up to another loss, 7-2, to the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

The Orioles (22-44) have lost six straight,and a franchise-record 17 straight on the road. The major league record for most road losses in succession is 22 shared by the 1963 New York Mets and the 1943 Philadelphia Athletics.

The Indians scored a run in the first on an RBI single by Bobby Bradley, which scored César Hernandez. With two outs, second baseman Stevie Wilkerson booted Eddie Rosario’s grounder, which sent Hernandez to third. Wilkerson committed another error in the eighth, his third in two games.

The Orioles tied it at 1 on Maikel Franco’s RBI double in the second.

Franco committed a throwing error in the bottom of the second, with two outs, causing Harvey to throw more pitches. He made a diving stop but his throw to first baseman Trey Mancini was wide, and Mancini appeared to lose it in the twilight sun.

“We’re making some uncharacteristic plays,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Negative plays defensively because we’re not playing with a ton of confidence.”

Harvey (3-8) gave up five runs in the third. The first was driven in by Eric Clement, who ended up at third on a throwing error by centerfielder Cedric Mullins. Clement scored on Bradley Zimmer’s single. Amed Rosario’s RBI single made it 4-1, and Eddie Rosario’s double increased the Indians’ lead to 6-1.

In 3 1/3 innings, Harvey allowed six runs, five earned, on six hits. His ERA is 7.76.

“As a starter, you have to go more than five innings, and I haven’t done that in quite some time,” Harvey said. “I don’t think there’s anything positive about any of that or anything, really.”

Harvey dismissed the notion of moving to the bullpen.

“I’m not even thinking about that,” Harvey said. “It hasn’t crossed my mind.”

Harvey, who has lost seven consecutive decisions, hasn’t gone even five innings since his last win, on May 1st at Oakland.

“I thought Matt threw the ball as well as he’s thrown the ball in a long time,”  Hyde said. “For him to get four outs in an inning makes it really, really challenging. We let him down defensively.”

Cal Quantrill allowed a run on three hits in four innings for Cleveland. Blake Parker gave up Trey Mancini’s RBI double in the sixth.

James Karinchak (4-2), who struck out all three Orioles he faced in the eighth, got the win for Cleveland (36-28).

Bradley homered against Adam Plutko in the seventh.

Wilkerson and DJ Stewart each struck out three times.

Notes: John Means, who’s on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left shoulder is in Sarasota, Florida and began playing catch on Tuesday. … The Orioles traded minor league catcher Taylor Davis to Pittsburgh for outfielder José Berroa. Davis, who played in 20 games for the Chicago Cubs from 2017-2019, was hitting .289 in 12 games for Triple-A Norfolk. Berroa, who’s 19, batted .254 for the Pirates’ teams in the Dominican Summer League in 2019. He’ll report to the Orioles’ Florida Complex team in Sarasota. … Hyde said the new penalties for doctoring balls that will go into effect on June 21st were stiff. “To lose a player 10 days and a roster spot for 10 teams, it’s obvious MLB is very serious about this.” Hyde said the team has discussed this in small groups and will have a larger meeting on Wednesday. … Keegan Akin (0-1, 4.13 ERA) will face Aaron Civale (9-2, 3.17) on Wednesday night.

Minor Matters: Alexander Wells pitched five shutout innings, allowing just two hits, as Triple-A Norfolk beat Durham, 4-1. Wells struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. Designated hitter Brett Cumberland hit a two-run home run and second baseman Jahmai Jones had three hits.

Grayson Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first home start as Double-A Bowie lost to Akron, 3-2. Rodriguez struck out six and walked one.

In his first rehab game, outfielder Yusniel Diaz was 1-for-2 with a walk in five innings as the Baysox’s designated hitter.

Connor Gillispie gave up seven runs, six earned, in 2 2/3 innings in High-A Aberdeen’s 13-5 loss to Asheville. Centerfielder Zach Watson had three hits for the IronBirds, including a two-run home run.

Noah Denoyer allowed five runs in the third inning as Low-A Delmarva lost, 6-2, to Salem. Third baseman Andrew Martinez homered for the Shorebirds.

RAVENS NEWS from BaltimoreSports.com

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