Baltimore bats showed signs of life Wednesday afternoon in Oakland, but it just wasn’t enough as the O’s lost their fifth straight, 6-5.

The Orioles can’t get out of California quick enough after going 1-5 on the road trip.  Unfortunately, they have another stop before coming back to the Yard, but with any luck the 14-18 Royals give us a chance to get back on track Thursday. Cabrera (2-1) takes on righty Luke Hochevar (2-1) at 8pm Eastern in the series opener.

Base runners weren’t the problem for a change, with 13 hits and 5 team walks, but hitters couldn’t capitalize on some prime opportunities.  Leadoff men on base should score, but the Birds had trouble stringing their hits together for much of the game.

Trembley and Guthrie were visibly frustrated after the game giving short abrupt answers and cutting interviews to a minimum.  You can’t blame them-  Trembley can’t get the pitching when he finally gets the hitting, though he did defend his pitcher, and poor Guthrie (1-3), who gave up 4 runs, isn’t getting the wins when he deserves them or not. 

Melvin Mora scored his 4^th error of the season in the eighth inning leading to a run that allowed the A’s to get right back into the game with a tie at 5.  The game-ender then came in the bottom of the tenth when the slumping Mark Ellis broke out of his 0 for17 with a solo shot against recent call-up Lance Cormier.

With today’s loss, the Orioles drop to the bottom of the division in a temporary tie with the Jays who play Wednesday evening at home against Tampa Bay.  The 1-0 Matt Garza tries to win on the road against the 3-2 Shaun Marcum.

 (Wednesday Box Score)

(Photo: AP)

Pat Santarone, Longtime Orioles Groundskeeper Dead at 79

The Orioles family is saddened by the passing of Pat Santarone, head groundskeeper for 28 years from 1969-1991.

Great article here at WBAL about Santarone and his longtime friendship with Earl Weaver.  Take a listen to the audio clip of Earl next to the story - great oldtime baseball stories told firsthand.