BALTIMORE – John Lannan watched Jeremy Guthrie finally end a long winless streak from the other dugout.
The Washington Nationals left-hander can only wonder when his slump will be over.
Lannan lost his fourth straight decision and hasn't won in his past six starts. On Saturday, he allowed six runs and a season-high nine hits in the Nationals' 8-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
"First two innings, I was good. Third, I ran into trouble," Lannan said. "I didn't make an adjustment."
In his previous two starts, Lannan (2-5) didn't get a decision, allowing four runs in 12 1-3 innings. After he quickly retired the Orioles in order in the first two innings, he was hoping things would be different.
The Nationals scored two unearned runs off Guthrie (2-6) in the third inning, but Lannan gave up four runs in the bottom of the third.
"It was almost two different games for John," manager Jim Riggleman said. "Fifteen pitches in the first two innings. Then in the third inning, he had a hard time stopping that rally."
Washington took a brief 2-0 lead in the third when Jerry Hairston singled with one out. With two outs, Ian Desmond hit a ground-rule double. Nix grounded to first, but the ball went off first baseman Brandon Snyder's glove for an error, and both runners scored.
The Orioles scored four runs off Lannan in the third. He struck out a season-high six and walked one.
In the third, Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer to left — his first after being recalled Friday from Triple-A Norfolk. With two outs, Adam Jones bunted for a base hit. Nick Markakis singled to left, and with Jones tearing around second, Nix mishandled the ball for an error, allowing Jones to score. Markakis scored on Vladimir Guerrero's RBI single.
The Orioles added four more in the seventh on Robert Andino's RBI double and run-scoring singles by Markakis, Matt Wieters and J.J. Hardy. Lannan was removed after Andino's double.
"It's disappointing that I lose it a little bit, but just got to keep on battling, find that rhythm and stick with it," Lannan said. "They're good hitters. I just left pitches up."
In his fourth major league game, Cole Kimball allowed his first two runs — the final two in the seventh.
"Cole took over — and it just didn't go well," Riggleman said.
The Nationals set a franchise record with 17 runs on Friday night. Thanks to Guthrie, runs were much harder to come by a day later.
"Great pitching can beat hot hitting," Hairston said. "A pitcher like that — when he starts getting in a rhythm — he's definitely tough to beat," Hairston said. "I think Guthrie, velocitywise, probably as good as I've seen him throw."
Jim Johnson worked the eighth and Koji Uehara allowed a run in the ninth on Wilson Ramos' sacrifice fly.
Notes: Washington 1B Adam LaRoche singled in the second inning to break an 0-for-26 streak. ... The Nationals trail the all-time series 17-15. ... The Orioles reinstated RHP Alfredo Simon from the restricted list. Simon, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Dominican Republic, will work out of the bullpen. ... INF Cesar Izturis was transferred from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list. ... Baltimore 2B Brian Roberts, on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion, has not resumed physical activity. Roberts said he still has headaches, and is unsure about when he might return. "It's not life and death, but when it comes to baseball right now, today it's not great," Roberts said. ... RHP Jason Berken who was sent to Norfolk by Baltimore on Friday, will start on Tuesday for the Tides, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. ... Willie Randolph coached third base for the Orioles. John Russell, normally the third base coach, had an injection in a knee.
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