"Orioles left-hander Brian Burres stood at his locker, fielded several questions and offered one consistent answer.

He can't pitch as he did in the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels last night at Camden Yards and expect his team to win.

"You can't just throw up a five-run deficit or something like that up there. You just can't do that to your team," Burres said.

"I need to do a better job."

In fact, he can't pitch as he did last night and expect to keep his spot in the starting rotation.

Burres (7-7) lasted just 1 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, including two homers, and five runs before the Orioles took their second turn at-bat.

It was the second shortest start of his career, and Burres tied Steve Trachsel for the shortest noninjury-related start of the 2008 season. It was the fifth time in 11 games Burres has given up two or more homers - a span in which his ERA has ballooned from 3.16 to 5.37.

"I am just not pitching as well," Burres said.

"I can't put a finger on anything specific, but ... it would be nice to get back to the way I was."

After the game, Orioles manager Dave Trembley was noncommittal when asked whether he and pitching coach Rick Kranitz might re-evaluate Burres' spot in the rotation.

"It's too soon," he said.

"The game just got over and I've had about five minutes to catch my breath here. I'll discuss the situation with Kranny.""