A troubling start to a non-quality start for Gonzalez

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez allowed five runs in the first – and seven runs total – in 2 2/3 innings Wednesday night against the Rays.

It halted the Orioles’ season-best seven straight quality starts.

Gonzalez allowed a home run on the first pitch of the game to Desmond Jennings. It was the third consecutive start that Gonzalez has allowed a homer in the first inning. It was also the third time in 11 games the Orioles allowed a leadoff homer (Detroit’s Austin Jackson did it against Gonzalez on July 15 and Cleveland’s Shin-Soo Choo against Chris Tillman on July 21).

It also continued an ugly trend of the Orioles surrendering runs early. In eight of their last 13 games, the opposition has scored at least one run in the first. Opposing teams have plated 19 runs in that span.

The Orioles have been able to dig out of some early holes.

But Wednesday’s hole is pretty deep.