Burnes bears responsibility for the Orioles’ recent problems: “I didn’t do my job”

Corbin Burnes, top player of the Baltimore Orioles, has taken full responsibility for the team's recent difficulties after the latest loss.

“We believe we can play baseball the way we started the year, and we know we can play that way. It starts with us on the mound, and it starts with me,” Burnes told reporters after the Orioles' 6-0 loss to the Houston Astros, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. “I haven't done my job the last couple of starts. I need to change things up.”

Burnes had a rough night on Thursday, allowing all six of Houston's runs (five earned) and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings and recording just two strikeouts. He allowed four runs during a disastrous sixth inning in which eight Houston batters came to bat.

The appearance was the latest in a difficult month for Burnes, who was in the Cy Young discussion before running into that obstacle. The former NL Cy Young winner has an 8.71 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP in four August starts, with opponents holding a .322 batting average against him this month.

Thursday's loss dropped the Orioles' record to 9-11 in August and 21-24 since the beginning of July. Baltimore fell to 1 1/2 games behind the leading New York Yankees in the AL East; it is the first time since June 25 that the club has trailed the Yankees by more than a game.