Orioles complete sweep of Mariners

BALTIMORE – Kevin Millwood’s return to Camden Yards was reminiscent of his one dreadful season as a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

Millwood gave up seven runs in four innings, and the Seattle Mariners dropped a 9-2 decision Wednesday night for their fourth consecutive defeat.

The 37-year-old Millwood pitched for Baltimore in 2010, going 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA in 31 starts.

During that season he received the second-worst offensive support in the A.L., a meager 3.28 runs per game.

Seattle managed only two runs in this one, but much of the blame for this loss belongs to Millwood (4-10), who gave up two home runs for the first time this season.

“I didn’t pitch very good today,” the right-hander said. “No fun to stink.

“We didn’t play well here at all.”

The Mariners’ four-game skid began at Yankee Stadium and continued in Baltimore, where they were outscored 20-10 during the Orioles’ three-game sweep.

“Tonight is the first night we didn’t play well,” manager Eric Wedge said. “We played well in New York and last night (a 14-inning loss) was a battle.

“We’re working through some things here. We have a couple of new guys, and we have to take an opportunity to see what they can and cannot do.”

Little went right Wednesday night, as Seattle fell behind 7-0 in the fourth inning and stumbled to the finish.

Steve Johnson (1-0) gave up two runs, five hits and two walks over six innings for Baltimore in his first major league start and second appearance. The 24-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to sub for Tommy Hunter, who was scratched because he threw in the bullpen Tuesday night in anticipation of entering a game that lasted 14 innings.

Matt Wieters tied a career high with five RBIs, Nick Markakis and Mark Reynolds homered, and Adam Jones had three hits for the Orioles.

Johnson blanked Seattle on three hits through five innings before giving up a two-run homer to Kyle Seager in the sixth. It was Seager’s team-high 13th homer, the second in two nights.