(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Jose Contreras got roughed up for the third time in three starts this season, as the White Sox dropped the first of a three-game set to the Orioles 10-3.

Despite a 116-minute rain delay, Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen pitched well in his major league debut, holding the White Sox to just one earned-run and four hits in five and two thirds innings.

Aubrey Huff began the festivities with a two-run blast in the third inning, the first of his two dingers on the night.

The White Sox tied the score at two in the fourth. RBI singles by Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko were responsible for the damage.

The Sox took the lead 3-2 on a run scoring ground out by Brian Anderson in the fifth. That lead was short-lived, however, as an RBI double by Nick Markakis, followed by a run-scoring single by Luke Scott put the Orioles ahead for good in the bottom of the fifth.

Contreras got the hook with one out in bottom of the sixth after surrendering another run. Clayton Richard took the bump and promptly gave up an RBI single to Markakis, who ended up four-for-four on the night, making the tally 6-3 in favor of the birds.

The rest was academic.

The White Sox managed only five hits. The main concern is the performance of Contreras, whom the Sox are counting on at the tail end of the rotation.

The good news is that Alexei Ramirez was two-for-four, after having started the season with just five hits in his first 40 at-bats.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Wednesday evening with John Danks slated to face the Orioles Jeremy Guthrie. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?