masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles manager Buck Showalter wanted to knock the rust off a few of his players today, putting them in today’s game to keep everyone engaged. He doesn’t like guys to sit for prolonged stretches.

David Lough received his first at-bats since May 3 and went 0-for-2, grounding out and popping up, before Steve Pearce pinch-hit for him in the seventh.

Ryan Flaherty, appearing in only his third game this month, went 0-for-3 and hit into a double play to end the bottom of the sixth. He made a…Orioles manager Buck Showalter wanted to knock the rust off a few of his players today, putting them in today’s game to keep everyone engaged. He doesn’t like guys to sit for prolonged stretches.

David Lough received his first at-bats since May 3 and went 0-for-2, grounding out and popping up, before Steve Pearce pinch-hit for him in the seventh.

Ryan Flaherty, appearing in only his third game this month, went 0-for-3 and hit into a double play to end the bottom of the sixth. He made a diving stop and threw out Jason Castro to end the eighth and strand a runner in scoring position.

Left-hander T.J. McFarland hadn’t pitched since working 3 2/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk on April 29. The second of his two appearances with the Orioles came on April 25.

McFarland replaced starter Chris Tillman today and served up a two-run homer to Marc Krauss in the seventh that increased the Astros’ lead to 5-2.

In three innings, McFarland has allowed two runs and six hits and struck out four batters. If nothing else, he’s saving the bullpen for Monday night’s series opener against the Tigers at Camden Yards.

Troy Patton is getting loose as we approach the bottom of the eighth.

Earlier today, I mentioned that Johan Santana threw 51 pitches in 2 1/3 innings yesterday in his second extended spring training start. Here’s more information:

Santana allowed two runs and three hits, walked three and struck out three against the Rays. Showalter noted that Santana was pitching on a soft mound in Port Charlotte, which didn’t do him any favors.

Today’s attendance: 45,944. The second sell-out of the season.

Update: Game over, and so is the Orioles’ winning streak. It ends at five games with a 5-2 loss to the Astros.

The Orioles are 20-15 heading into Monday night’s series opener against the Tigers.