Wei-Yin Chen struggled through five innings during the second game of the Orioles' doubleheader with the Blue Jays Monday, and Baltimore fell 1.5 games behind the Yankees in the American League East.

The 9-5 loss came simply through poor pitching and the Orioles blew a major opportunity during the sixth inning. Down at that point, 5-4, the Orioles had no outs and the bases loaded.

Adam Jones struck out swinging for a pitch well out of the strike zone. Chris Davis then flied out to left field and backup catcher Taylor Teagarden was caught tagging up to home, ending the rally. The Orioles had scored earlier in the inning on a Nate McLouth homer, but the team's offensive fortunes fizzled out.

The Blue Jays made the Birds pay in the bottom of the inning as Jake Arrieta struggled in relief. Loading the bases, Arrieta surrendered a backbreaking grand slam to Toronto designated hitter J.P. Arencibia.

The shot to left was the kind of momentum-killing play the Orioles have been delivering to opposing teams all season.

Posted Sept. 24, 2012