O's blanked as bullpen can't slow Blue Jays

Baltimore record tied with 107 losses

September 18th, 2018

BALTIMORE -- With three starting pitchers out with injuries, the Orioles were forced to use a pitcher from the bullpen to start Monday's game against the Blue Jays. Evan Phillips, who had only one Minor League start, was the Orioles' designated opener. Phillips allowed three runs in the second inning of the Orioles' 5-0 loss to the Blue Jays at Camden Yards.
Phillips (0-1) retired the first five Toronto hitters before doubled and scored on 's single. hit his second homer of the year, and the Blue Jays led, 3-0.

"It wasn't so strange. I'm familiar with starting in the past," Phillips said. "Preparation for the game, not a lot really changes. Just the timeline changes a little bit. And then I'd probably say the weirdest thing is going out for the anthem on the field. But outside of that, it's all the same thing."
, who started one game for the Mets in both 2015 and 2016, relieved Phillips to start the third and pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing Pillar's 14th home run of the year in the seventh.  hit his 18th home run off in the ninth.

"I thought everybody did a good job," manager Buck Showalter said. "Evan went out there after a long layoff and got us five quick outs. Thought he was going to have a good two-inning stint there. Sean and Carroll also were good."
was supposed to start, but was scratched because of a left knee injury. Alex Cobb (blister) and (hamstring) are also sidelined.
The Orioles also must come up with a starter for Wednesday's game, but in the loss, Showalter was able to use just three relievers and not tax his bullpen further.
"I'd like to go into it and win a game, but if you had told me going into it that we were going to be able to get those types of contributions from those three guys, you would have been OK with that," Showalter said.

(4-4) baffled the Orioles, allowing just three singles, none after 's leadoff single in the fourth, over eight innings. Borucki allowed five runs on eight hits against the Orioles on Aug. 29.

The loss was the Orioles' 107th of the season, equaling the Baltimore record set in 1988 when they went 54-107.
SOUND SMART
The Orioles' next loss will break the 30-year-old club record of 107 losses. In that season, the Orioles began the year 0-21. This year, their longest losing streak has been nine games.
HE SAID IT
"I think the clubhouse chemistry has always been really good. It's always been good. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little down right now because of the loss and the way things are going." -- Chris Davis, on the mood following loss No. 107
UP NEXT
tries to win his second straight as the Orioles take on the Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday night at Camden Yards. Bundy has a 7.88 ERA in three starts this season against Toronto, which will counter with .