masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThis spoiler role seems to suit the Orioles.

After taking two of three from the Rays, the Orioles crushed the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 tonight at Camden Yards.

Los Angeles began the night 3.5 games out of first in the AL West and four back in the wild card with eight wins over their last 11 games.

Tommy Hunter entered with a record of 2-3 and 5.98 ERA in his first eight Orioles starts, but tonight pitched seven shutout innings of seven-hit ball. He walked two, fanned five and threw 109…This spoiler role seems to suit the Orioles.

After taking two of three from the Rays, the Orioles crushed the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 tonight at Camden Yards.

Los Angeles began the night 3.5 games out of first in the AL West and four back in the wild card with eight wins over their last 11 games.

Tommy Hunter entered with a record of 2-3 and 5.98 ERA in his first eight Orioles starts, but tonight pitched seven shutout innings of seven-hit ball. He walked two, fanned five and threw 109 pitches.

Hank Conger’s two-run homer off Kevin Gregg in the ninth spoiled the O’s shutout bid. Gregg needed 42 pitches to complete the top of the ninth.

Losing pitcher Dan Haren gave up seven hits and seven runs (six earned) over five innings to fall to 15-9. He was coming off a four-hit shutout of the Yankees and was 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA in five career Camden Yards starts.

Mark Reynolds snapped a 2-for-32 stretch with a solo homer in the fifth and Nolan Reimold hit a two-run shot an inning later.

J.J. Hardy had two hits, including a two-run double, and three RBIs. He began the game without an RBI over his past seven games and with just three over his last 14 games.

The Orioles improved to 2-5 against the Angels, 36-40 at home, 7-8 this month and 61-88 on the season.