masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles haven’t been home since July 14. They probably would have gone anywhere to escape Kansas City, where they lost three straight games to close out their road trip.

They were outscored 14-6 in those defeats and batted .214. They were 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position, placing the focus back on their offense.

Maybe it’s an overreaction. They scored 23 runs in the first four games of the road trip. But unless I missed it, there’s nothing in the latest collective bargaining…The Orioles haven’t been home since July 14. They probably would have gone anywhere to escape Kansas City, where they lost three straight games to close out their road trip.

They were outscored 14-6 in those defeats and batted .214. They were 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position, placing the focus back on their offense.

Maybe it’s an overreaction. They scored 23 runs in the first four games of the road trip. But unless I missed it, there’s nothing in the latest collective bargaining agreement prohibiting sacrifice flies.

Chris Davis went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts last night. He’s fanned at least once in his last 19 games, the longest active streak in the majors. He still hasn’t homered since the All-Star break.

Strange that Matt Wieters heats up as Davis cools off. Wasn’t Wieters’ placement behind Davis in the lineup a major issue with fans?

Henry Urrutia had two hits last night, including his first triple. Five of his seven major league hits have gone to left field.

Should the Orioles run Urrutia out there every night as the designated hitter? You tell me.

The Orioles will need to add another bat and go back to a full bench. They need a right-handed hitter. Executive vice president Dan Duquette isn’t focused entirely on pitching as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

Could LJ Hoes be an in-house candidate? Should he be the next man up? You tell me.

Hoes is batting .307/.409/.407 with 25 doubles, a triple, three homers, 40 RBIs, 58 walks, 53 strikeouts and seven steals in seven attempts over 98 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He can play the outfield and has some experience in the infield, though he isn’t likely to go back there.

He also was a third-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. The Orioles didn’t take him that high to bury him in the minors.

They might consider Alex Liddi. Also a right-handed hitter, also on the 40-man roster.

Liddi is batting .304/.361/.571 with three doubles, three triples, two homers and 13 RBIs in 15 games with Norfolk after the Orioles acquired him from the Mariners. Eight of his 17 hits have gone for extra-bases.

Liddi is primarily a corner infielder, though he’s dabbled in left field.

I’ll ask again: What was Conor Jackson thinking?

As for tonight’s starting pitcher, Chris Tillman is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA and three quality starts in seven career starts against the Red Sox over 36 1/3 innings. In Tillman’s last three starts against them, he’s gone 2-0 with a 0.93 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and .154 average against over 19 1/3 innings.