O's, Lopez Falter Near The End

Detroit Pulls Away With Two Late Homers: Tigers 6, Orioles 3

BALTIMORE, May 10 -- One night after an inspiring win over the Detroit Tigers, the Baltimore Orioles are once again a team left searching for its identity after a 6-3 loss to the Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday night.

Rodrigo Lopez (1-5) gave up just two runs in six innings but then served up back-to-back home runs to Chris Shelton and Curtis Granderson. Shelton's home run was a three-run moon shot that put Detroit in front, 5-1. That was enough to put the game out of reach for a punchless Orioles lineup that was without the injured Brian Roberts (groin), Javy Lopez (back) and Melvin Mora (a late scratch on Wednesday because of back pain).

The injuries continued on Wednesday as Chris Gomez -- who started in place of Mora at third base -- was hit by a pitch on his left hand in the seventh inning. The Orioles have more injuries in the last week than they do wins, as the loss on Wednesday was the team's sixth in seven games.

"The injuries aren't good, there is no question about that," Orioles Manager Sam Perlozzo said. "We can't keep piling them up like we are. Hopefully, these are real short-term things."

Baltimore sank to 15-20 in the American League East, just a half-game ahead of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Detroit improved to 21-13, comfortably sitting in second place in the AL Central, behind Chicago.

Right-hander Justin Verlander (4-3, 3.77 ERA) picked up the win for Detroit, working 6 1/3 innings and giving up three runs. Todd Jones pitched the ninth inning to earn his seventh save of the year. The Orioles' Sendy Rleal, Kurt Birkins and Julio Manon combined for three innings of shutout relief.

For six innings, Lopez and Verlander dueled. Lopez gave up two runs in the first inning but mowed down the Tigers in order in the second, third and sixth innings and worked his way out of jams in the fourth and fifth. He struck out seven batters, gave up only one walk and threw just 102 pitches before being pulled in the seventh.

"I had no reason to believe he was tired," Perlozzo said. "I told [pitching coach Leo Mazzone] that if he was tired [after giving up the three-run homer to Shelton] to go ahead and make the move, but he said he was fine and I had no reason to think he wasn't fine. I was hoping to see him rebound after that, but it didn't happen."

While the Orioles are trying to find an identity, Lopez is trying to find his way as a pitcher. He has not won since Opening Day. "Right now I just have to stay positive because I feel like I have a good game plan," Lopez said.

The Orioles scratched one run off of Verlander in the fourth inning when Corey Patterson singled home Jay Gibbons, cutting Detroit's lead to 2-1. After the Tigers went up 6-1 in the seventh, the Orioles scored two runs in their half of the inning. With the bases loaded, Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya plunked Gomez to bring in a run and Miguel Tejada drove in the third run of the night for the Orioles with a sacrifice fly. The Orioles' rally was stunted when Jay Gibbons popped out to first base, leaving two runners on board. Gibbons said he was impressed with Verlander's control.

"For a guy that throws that hard, he had really good control," Gibbons said. "He made it seem like you were down 0-2 every time."

After being hit, Gomez took the field in the top of the eighth but made an error in the ninth because he was unable to grip the ball. He was replaced in the batting order by Luis Matos and will not be available to play Thursday. He could be out for several days.

"It's pretty sore, but we'll see," Gomez said. "I tried gripping a bat and that wasn't going to happen, so I thought maybe I could play defense. I just want to get everyone healthy and get everyone back."

More help could be on the way this weekend when Javy Lopez returns from the disabled list. Roberts's recovery is going slower than expected but he could return soon, as he was scheduled to come off the disabled list on Monday. Mora could be back any day.