masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles gave up three runs in the last two innings tonight and lost to the Royals 4-3. They need a win Thursday night to salvage a split of the four-game series.

David Lough singled off Orioles right-hander Darren O’Day with one out in the bottom of the ninth, the ball ricocheting off the reliever and second base, and Alcides Escobar followed with a double off the top of the left field fence.

Lough came around to score, as O’Day surrendered a run for only the second time in his last 11…The Orioles gave up three runs in the last two innings tonight and lost to the Royals 4-3. They need a win Thursday night to salvage a split of the four-game series.

David Lough singled off Orioles right-hander Darren O’Day with one out in the bottom of the ninth, the ball ricocheting off the reliever and second base, and Alcides Escobar followed with a double off the top of the left field fence.

Lough came around to score, as O’Day surrendered a run for only the second time in his last 11 appearances. He hadn’t allowed an earned run in 36 of his 46 outings.

The Orioles were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded six.

Nate McLouth, Matt Wieters and Brian Roberts each had two hits.

The Orioles remain 3 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the American League East.

The Royals are 19-17 in one-run games. The Orioles are 13-16.

Cliche alert: What a difference a year makes.