It took 28 scoreless innings for the Orioles to snap out of their slump against the Mets, but it still wasn't enough, as the Birds fell, 4-3, June 20 at Citi Field. The O's had just 12 hits against the Mets the entire three-game series and struck out 29 times.

Dillon Gee was the latest New York starter to toy with the Orioles, as he went 7.1 innings Wednesday, striking out nine batters while giving up three hits and two runs. Baltimore's Brian Matusz threw 93 pitches in 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits and three runs. Matusz is so up and down with his starts that it's hard to predict when he's going to flip a switch and dominate opponents, which he's once again capable of doing. Still, he's equally capable of delivering subpar performances.

Matusz is 0-7 in interleague play.

The Orioles get a day off before coming back to Baltimore to face the Nationals, a team they handled well earlier this season. Washington has an outstanding pitching staff, so the Birds aren't going to get any breaks this weekend.

Posted June 20, 2012