masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgA 6-0 lead wasn’t passed to steady hands.

Michael Gonzalez replaced Chris Tillman in the bottom of the sixth and allowed four runs (one earned) and three hits in one-third of an inning. Jeremy Accardo replaced him and let two inherited runners score, along with one of his own.

Gonzalez has allowed runs in his last three outings and hits in his last five. In five appearances covering four innings, he’s surrendered seven runs (four earned) and 10 hits.

Accardo has allowed runs in five…A 6-0 lead wasn’t passed to steady hands.

Michael Gonzalez replaced Chris Tillman in the bottom of the sixth and allowed four runs (one earned) and three hits in one-third of an inning. Jeremy Accardo replaced him and let two inherited runners score, along with one of his own.

Gonzalez has allowed runs in his last three outings and hits in his last five. In five appearances covering four innings, he’s surrendered seven runs (four earned) and 10 hits.

Accardo has allowed runs in five straight appearances and six of seven. In his last five outings covering 5 1/3 innings, he’s permitted five runs and 10 hits.

The good news: Mark Reynolds homered in the seventh to increase the lead to 7-5.

The bad news: Jim Johnson gave up a run to shave the lead to 7-6.

Tillman left the game after five scoreless innings and 88 pitches. Manager Buck Showalter might have figured that Tillman didn’t have his best stuff and it was time to go, or that mound visit with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and pitching coach Mark Connor prompted the decision.

Update: Talk about a tough loss to swallow. The Orioles blew a 6-0 lead and Kevin Gregg blew the save in the bottom of the ninth, surrendering Adrian Gonzalez’s two-run double after he walked two batters.

Red Sox 8, Orioles 7.

Derrek Lee leaves the game with an injury. Tillman leaves after five innings and 88 pitches, perhaps for health reasons. The bullpen implodes.

This one hurts for a variety of reasons.

A rain out would have felt much better.