masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles starters keep raising the bar. Now it’s Bud Norris’ turn to give it a bump.

In 41 games since June 9, the rotation has posted a 3.08 ERA over 248 2/3 innings to reduce its season ERA from 4.61 to 3.97.

The starters combined for 18 consecutive scoreless innings before the Mariners pushed across a run in the sixth inning last night.

Until James Jones’s two-out single in the bottom of the fifth inning last night, Orioles pitchers had held the Angels and Mariners hitless in 24…Orioles starters keep raising the bar. Now it’s Bud Norris’ turn to give it a bump.

In 41 games since June 9, the rotation has posted a 3.08 ERA over 248 2/3 innings to reduce its season ERA from 4.61 to 3.97.

The starters combined for 18 consecutive scoreless innings before the Mariners pushed across a run in the sixth inning last night.

Until James Jones’s two-out single in the bottom of the fifth inning last night, Orioles pitchers had held the Angels and Mariners hitless in 24 straight at-bats with runners in scoring position dating back to the fourth inning on Monday. Overall, opponents are 4-for-37 with RISP (.108) in the last five games against the Orioles, who are 4-1 in that span.

oday-set-sidebar.jpgSince June 17, reliever Darren O’Day hasn’t allowed a run in 14 outings covering 15 1/3 innings. He’s walked three (two intentional) and struck out 19.

O’Day’s 1.00 ERA leads American League relievers.

With last night’s solo home run, Nelson Cruz registered his sixth consecutive season of 20-plus home runs and 75-plus RBIs.

The Orioles are tied with the Blue Jays for the major league lead with 125 home runs. They’re tied with the Mariners and Reds for the major league lead with a .988 fielding percentage.

The Orioles are 8-3 in Seattle since the beginning of 2012. They’re 10-3 in extra-inning games this year and have won five in a row.

The Orioles are 34-12 in extras since 2012.

The Angels list Jered Weaver (11-6, 3.36 ERA), Garrett Richards (11-3, 2.62 ERA) and Tyler Skaggs (5-5, 4.49 ERA) as starters for the three-game series against the Orioles that begins Tuesday at Camden Yards. The Orioles haven’t revealed their starters.