masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBy getting an out in the fifth inning today, Tommy Hunter has lasted longer than O’s starters have the past two games when Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta combined to give up 13 earned runs over six total innings.

Hunter is, at least, throwing many fewer pitches than that pair. Matusz needed 67 in two-plus innings on Thursday, and Arrieta threw 83 in four innings last night.

Hunter today needed just 19 pitches to get through the first two innings and 26 more for the next two frames, for 45…By getting an out in the fifth inning today, Tommy Hunter has lasted longer than O’s starters have the past two games when Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta combined to give up 13 earned runs over six total innings.

Hunter is, at least, throwing many fewer pitches than that pair. Matusz needed 67 in two-plus innings on Thursday, and Arrieta threw 83 in four innings last night.

Hunter today needed just 19 pitches to get through the first two innings and 26 more for the next two frames, for 45 pitches through four innings. He needed just seven more pitches to get through the fifth.

He has allowed three solo homers today, and the game is tied 3-3 through four and a half innings. Hunter has now given up 16 homers in 63 innings.

It would be natural for some fans and reporters to wonder if Adam Jones wrist(s) (one or both) are bothering him. He is 0-for-2 today through the fourth inning, making him now hitless in his last 16 at-bats, a season high.

Over his last seven games, Jones is 3-for-26, and he has just one RBI over his past eight games. He began today batting at .297.

J.J. Hardy is 0-for-3 today. He now has just one hit over his last 16 at-bats and has just one homer and three RBIs over his last 11 games.

Ryan Flaherty delivered a RBI single during the O’s two-run bottom of the fourth. He is 1-for-2 today and now has four hits over his last 11 at-bats.

The Orioles are 2-2 this year in interleague play. They went 7-11 last year and are 117-151 all-time. They lead the all-time series, 24-22, against the Phillies.