While much of the talk after that game centered on manager Dave Trembley's decision to pull rookie Brad Bergesen after eight innings of one-run ball and the subsequent meltdown by the team's two best relievers - setup man Jim Johnson and closer George Sherrill - the offense's role in the defeat cannot be overlooked.
After Ty Wigginton's solo homer in the fourth inning against Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, the last 24 Orioles hitters were retired in order.
That stretch continued into Thursday as Lackey retired the first eight batters he faced, leaving the streak at 32 consecutive Orioles set down in order bridging the two games.
It came to a merciful end with two outs in the third inning, when No. 9 hitter Andino lined a single over the head of shortstop Aybar. But Lackey, who has for the most part gotten better with each outing since missing the first 1 1/2 months of the season with a strained right forearm, struck out Roberts on a pitch in the dirt to strand Andino.
Guthrie was also sharp early, looking nothing like the pitcher who walked three batters, including two with the bases loaded, in his last start against the lowly Washington Nationals.
Guthrie pitched three scoreless innings to start his outing before he again was victimized by the long ball, which has caused trouble for him all year. Abreu led off the fourth inning by slamming Guthrie's 2-1 pitch over the wall and into the right-center-field seats.
The Orioles finally got something going in the fifth, an inning that started with Reimold's single to left field. With one out, Reimold swiped second base for the first steal of his career. After Wigginton walked, Wieters grounded a two-strike single into center field to score Reimold and tie the score at 1.
The Orioles still had men on first and third with one out, but Lackey struck out Andino and Roberts to end the inning.
ORIOLES @ANGELS
Tonight, 10:05
TV: MASN2 HD
Radio: 105.7 FM
INSIDE
Mora sits out second straight game PG 4
