Hunter struggles as Orioles fall to Blue Jays

In first start with O's, RHP gives up four runs, eight hits in 5-4 loss

However, the Orioles could have used some clutch hitting to go along with the good defense. Facing soft-tossing left-hander Brad Mills, the Orioles drew back-to-back walks in the third inning. But Jones, who hit a towering two-run homer off Mills in the first, flied out on his first pitch, and Vladimir Guerrero lined into a double play.

Mills then issued back-to-back one-out walks in the sixth. Matt Wieters cut the Orioles' deficit to one with an RBI single on a ball that ate up Lawrie. Toronto manager John Farrell, who would be ejected an inning later by home plate umpire Brian Knight, removed Mills and brought in lefty Luis Perez. He retired Reimold and Bell to end the sixth.

Still trailing by a run, the Orioles had men on first and second with no outs in the seventh as Izturis singled and Andino reached on an error. However, Perez struck out Nick Markakis looking. Jesse Litsch then came on to fan Jones and retire Guerrero on a flyout to the warning track in left field.

The Orioles cut their deficit to one run off closer Jon Rauch in the ninth as Andino hit a two-out single and Markakis connected for an RBI double. However, Rauch retired Jones on an infield pop-up to pick up his 11th save.

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