Burnes shoulders Orioles' recent struggles: 'I haven't done my job'

Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes put the team's recent struggles squarely on his shoulders following their latest loss.

"The way we started off the year is how we think we can play baseball, and we know we can play baseball that way. It starts with us on the mound, and it starts with me," Burnes told reporters following the Orioles' 6-0 loss to the Houston Astros, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. "I haven't done my job the last few starts. It's going to take me turning things around."

Burnes had a difficult night Thursday, allowing all six Houston runs (five earned) and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings while tallying only two strikeouts. He gave up four runs during a disastrous sixth inning in which eight Houston batters came to the plate.

The outing was the latest in a difficult month for Burnes, who pushed himself into the Cy Young conversation before hitting this speed bump. The former NL Cy Young winner owns an 8.71 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in four August starts, with opponents hitting .322 against him this month.

Thursday's loss dropped the scuffling Orioles to 9-11 in August and 21-24 since the start of July. Baltimore dropped to 1 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees; it's the first time the club has been more than one game back of the Yankees since June 25.