Orioles finish disappointing road trip with punchless 9-0 loss to Diamondbacks

What happened? The Orioles concluded a disappointing road trip with a 9-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Wednesday.

Dean Kremer (1-2) allowed six runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings and gave up a career high-tying three home runs.

The Orioles (5-8) were held to just four hits—all singles.

On the road trip, the Orioles lost two of three at Kansas City and Arizona. They’ve yet to win any of their four series.

“There’s a little bit of frustration from guys,” manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Phoenix. “We’re not panicking in the clubhouse. Guys are trying to put together good at-bats and feeding off each other. It’s a little bit of a challenge right now.”

Corbin Carroll, Pavin Smith and Josh Naylor homered for Arizona (7-6). Smith and Naylor’s home runs were back-to-back. Tim Tawa drove in two runs in a five-run fifth.

Naylor had three hits and three RBIs.

Geraldo Perdomo homered in the eighth against Colin Selby, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after Zach Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right lat.

Brandon Pfaadt (2-1) allowed the Orioles’ four hits in six scoreless innings. Jalen Beeks pitched two spotless innings, and Bryce Jarvis a scoreless ninth. The last 10 Orioles made outs.

What’s wrong with the offense? Hyde knows the Orioles’ offense isn’t at its best.

“I thought Pfaadt was good,” he said. “We just had a tough time stringing at-bats together. We hit some ground balls. We’re hitting into a lot of double plays. Just having a tough time stringing quality at bats together.

“We’re off to a slow start. We’ve had a handful of good games. We’re having a tough time putting everything together. The guys are keeping their heads up. We’ve just got to keep working.

“It’s a talented team. We’re not playing to our full potential now. You’re going to go through challenges throughout the season. We’ve hit a challenge early in the season, which we haven’t in the past few years.”

Ryan Mountcastle was hitless in three at-bats and has just two extra-base hits this season.

“Obviously, you always want to go out there and win. That’s what we’re trying to do,” Mountcastle told reporters in Phoenix. “In the last week or so, it’s been a little tough. I’m sure we’ll get back on the horse.”

Jackson Holliday was also 0-for-3 and is hitless in 10 at-bats.

“We hit the ball hard, but just right at people again,” Holliday told reporters in Phoenix. “I feel like when we score, we score a lot and play good baseball. Sometimes when we get off to a little bit of a slower start, we’re pressed to come back. It’s only 13 games, and this team is very talented, and we’re going to win a lot of games this year.”

What did Kremer think of his performance? In his first start, Kremer pitched 5 1/3 innings in a 9-5 win at Toronto. Since then, he hasn’t finished five innings.

His splitter wasn’t working, and he suffered.

“Right now, I feel like it’s getting hit,” he told reporters in Phoenix. “I feel like I’m putting it in good locations. Sometimes they don’t get hit and sometimes they do get hit.”

Kremer is sanguine about the team.

“I think we’re OK,” Kremer said. “No need to hit the panic button yet. Got [149] games left. I’m quite confident in our group here that once everybody gets going at the same time, it’s going to be a runaway train.”

Without Eflin, Kremer is hoping the others can pitch better than they have. He didn’t do his part on Wednesday.

“Zach goes out there and competes,” Kremer said. “We’re going to have to piece it together while we wait for him to get healthy again. I think we’ve got the manpower to do it.”

What does it mean? The Orioles looked especially flat against the Diamondbacks in the final game of the series. Their bats were quiet and Kremer was ineffective.

What’s the word? “I don’t think there’s any level of concern. It’s frustrating to lose, especially games that you think you can win, but it’s only 13 games. We’ve got a whole lot more. This team is really good. I think we’re going to be fine.”-Holliday on the Orioles’ mood

What’s the stat of the day? 8.16. Kremer’s ERA rose to 8.16.

What’s next? After a day off, the Orioles begin a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at 7:05. Tomoyuki Sugano (1-1, 2.89) will start for the Orioles against Bowden Francis (1-1, 3.18).

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com