masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles haven’t lost back-to-back games since June 28-29 against the Rays, a streak that’s in serious jeopardy tonight.

Ubaldo Jimenez, in his second start since coming off the disabled list, lasted only 4 1/3 innings tonight and departed with the Indians leading 6-0.

Jimenez had retired 11 of 12 batters until former Oriole Chris Dickerson doubled to left-center field leading off the bottom of the fifth. He advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Jose Ramirez’s…The Orioles haven’t lost back-to-back games since June 28-29 against the Rays, a streak that’s in serious jeopardy tonight.

Ubaldo Jimenez, in his second start since coming off the disabled list, lasted only 4 1/3 innings tonight and departed with the Indians leading 6-0.

jimenez-pitching-white-sidebar (1).pngJimenez had retired 11 of 12 batters until former Oriole Chris Dickerson doubled to left-center field leading off the bottom of the fifth. He advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Jose Ramirez’s single.

Ramirez circled the bases on Michael Brantley’s two-run homer to right field, which brought manager Buck Showalter out of the dugout.

Showalter has a tougher decision to make. What’s he going to do with Jimenez?

Continue to start him as part of a five- or six-man rotation? Put him in the bullpen?

Who comes out of it?

The Orioles aren’t releasing him. No sense putting that one in the suggestion box.

Jimenez was charged with a season-high six runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings, with three walks, five strikeouts and two home runs. He threw 91 pitches, 33 coming in the first.

Tonight marked the fourth-shortest start of the season for Jimenez, who was replaced by T.J. McFarland. He’s failed to complete five innings in two of his last three starts.

Showalter wasn’t going to use McFarland in extra innings last night, in case the left-hander was needed tonight to back up Jimenez.

McFarland was needed.

The Orioles need a big rally or their streak of winning series ends at eight.

Update: The Orioles lose to the Indians 6-0 to end their streak of consecutive series wins and avoiding back-to-back defeats.

Nineteen consecutive Orioles were retired before Nick Markakis singled with one out in the ninth. He’s 56 hits behind Boog Powell for fifth on the Orioles’ all-time list.

Still counting.

The Orioles are 9-16 against the American League Central.

The Orioles have scored one run in the first two games of this series.