masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSome losses are tougher to swallow than others.

This one should stick in the Orioles’ throats.

They led, 5-0, and their starter hadn’t allowed a hit through four innings. They hit for power, they advanced runners, they had quality pitching and at-bats, which should have been a recipe for success.

The back end of the bullpen is supposed to be a strength, but Jason Berken gave up a run in the seventh, Jim Johnson put two runners on base in the eighth before escaping the jam, and Kevin Gregg…Some losses are tougher to swallow than others.

This one should stick in the Orioles‘ throats.

They led, 5-0, and their starter hadn’t allowed a hit through four innings. They hit for power, they advanced runners, they had quality pitching and at-bats, which should have been a recipe for success.

The back end of the bullpen is supposed to be a strength, but Jason Berken gave up a run in the seventh, Jim Johnson put two runners on base in the eighth before escaping the jam, and Kevin Gregg blew the save on one pitch.

Michael Gonzalez faced four batters in the 10th. He walked leadoff hitter Mark Teixeira, one of the biggest sins you can commit as a pitcher. Alex Rodriguez doubled, and Nick Swisher’s sacrifice fly with one out extended the Orioles’ losing streak to four games.

Manager Buck Showalter must be fuming.

Buck Showalter talks about his team’s disappointing loss to the Yankees

The Orioles will try to reverse course in Cleveland. No pressure on Zach Britton, but he needs to be the stopper in his third major league start.