masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgPITTSBURGH – The Orioles split six games on their road trip, found their offense and lost at least one reliever.

Sounds about right.

Brad Brach figures to be optioned after working four innings last night. The Orioles need another long man. And someone could be headed to the disabled list.

Manager Buck Showalter wouldn’t reveal the name, only that the Orioles were short one reliever. Could it be Tommy Hunter? He pitched Tuesday night, but something may have cropped up yesterday.

As I wrote…PITTSBURGH – The Orioles split six games on their road trip, found their offense and lost at least one reliever.

Sounds about right.

Brad Brach figures to be optioned after working four innings last night. The Orioles need another long man. And someone could be headed to the disabled list.

Manager Buck Showalter wouldn’t reveal the name, only that the Orioles were short one reliever. Could it be Tommy Hunter? He pitched Tuesday night, but something may have cropped up yesterday.

As I wrote last night, Zach Britton had his right ankle wrapped, but plenty of guys are packed in ice after games. Comes with the territory.

Anyway, we’ll probably find out during my 11:35 a.m. flight home.

Also, the Orioles will let us know about the Indians starter for tonight once they’re notified.

Adam Jones’ 14-game hitting streak ended last night. He walked for the first time since April 19 and scored a run in five plate appearances.

Jones saw eight pitches while walking in the second inning. He saw 10 in the eighth before striking out, taking three after falling behind 0-2 and fouling off four more.

The Orioles have scored 23 runs in their last three games. Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis are a lethal one-two punch, now that the Orioles’ first baseman is healthy and feeling more comfortable at the plate.

Still no home runs for shortstop J.J. Hardy since Sept. 5, 2013. However, he had a double and RBI single last night to raise his average to .281. He’s got seven hits in his last three games and 11 in his last seven.

Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in four home starts this season. In his only career start against the Indians on June 28, 2012, he took the loss after allowing six earned runs in 6 1/3 innings at Camden Yards.

In his career, Chen is 5-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts against the American League Central, including an 0-2 record and 4.28 ERA in eight starts at home.

Want a deceiving stat? The Orioles are 4-6 against left-handed starters after last night’s loss, but Wandy Rodriguez was craptacular. He had nothing to do with the outcome.

Maybe that stat needs to join the transfer rule on the discard pile.

The worst part of this trip? No pierogies.