9 Nate McLouth, LF

Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth was the hero Tuesday night as Baltimore snapped a six-game losing streak with his walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning against the Yankees. 

McLouth's fourth HR of the season ended the game off Vidal Nuno. He went 2 for 5 as the leadoff hitter and is batting .282 on the year. McLouth has recorded two hits in three of his last four games. He's also stolen 13 bases this season. 

The Orioles gave outfielder Nate McLouth a game off Sunday in the series finale against the Rays at Camden Yards. With Matt Moore on the mound, McLouth was given some rest. 

The speedy left fielder saw his average drop from .346 to begin May to just .268 after a game May 15 against the Padres. He's up to .279 again after going 4 for 9 (.444) in his last two with a triple, walk and two stolen bases. He's scored four runs in the last two games. 

The 31-year-old McLouth has three homers, 10 RBI and is second in the American League with 32 runs scored. He's tied for the lead in the AL with 13 steals with Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury. 

As hot as Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth was in the month of April, he has been even colder since the calendar hit May. After going 0 for 4 Wednesday, McLouth is batting just .143 in 12 games this month.

McLouth emerged as a useful Fantasy option in April, but given his history, it always seemed like the bottom might fall out. McLouth was aided by a .373 batting average on balls in play in April, a number that is down to .146 in May.

His BABIP has leveled off at .287 for the season, which is actually an improvement over his career rate of .278. Rather than rely on an analysis based on his best or worst moments, we should begin to assess McLouth's season as a whole. Splitting the difference between his April and May performances seems like the way to go. 

McLouth's season triple-slash line is .268/.359/.409, and that seems like a reasonable place for him to land, assuming the team continues to hide him against left-handed starters. That makes him a useful Fantasy option with his 11 stolen bases, but certainly not the high-end one he appeared to be during the season's first month. 

Orioles leadoff hitter Nate McLouth has begun to slump somewhat after going 0 for 4 Wednesday afternoon at home against the Padres. He's hitting .268. 

McLouth, who hit .346 in April over 78 at-bats, has gone 0 for 14 over his last four games. He's walked just once over that span as his average has fallen from .301. He's also striking out a bit more often. 

McLouth, 31, is still sixth in the American League in runs scored with 28 and second in steals with 11. He has three homers and 10 RBI as well.