Baltimore loses opener to Dodgers, 7-5

Baltimore once again couldn’t get much from its starting pitching, and the L.A. Dodgers took advantage of a weary O’s bullpen in a 7-5 win on Monday.

The loss was the fifth in a row for the Orioles (47-35), whose lead over second-place Boston in the American League East is down to two games.

Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 6.10 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) was staked to an early 5-2 lead, but couldn’t get into the fifth inning. Gallardo got a no-decision, giving up four runs on six hits in four innings of work, striking out five and walking three, and needing 95 pitches to get through four.

Odrisamer Despaigne (0-1, 3.18 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) took the loss in relief, giving up three runs on three hits in two and a third innings.

J.J. Hardy (.248/.280/.376, 2 HR,16 RBI) was 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI.