Nick Markakis is having an off year thus far.

The Orioles' No. 3 hitter went 1-for-4 with an eighth-inning RBI single. His average sat at .249 following Monday's game, and his RBI numbers are nowhere near where they usually are.

Markakis struck out twice Monday and is 2-for-15 on the trip. It has been 56 at-bats since Markakis has had an extra-base hit.

The Orioles initially had the smooth swinger hitting second, but shifted him to third with Derrek Lee on the disabled list.

Perhaps the most astonishing statistic is in the doubles category. Traditionally a 40-doubles machine each season, Markakis has only four two-base hits in 209 at-bats. He also has four home runs.

With Vladimir Guerrero providing the first true cleanup hitter behind Markakis in his career, it was supposed to be a breakout season for him.

While the season is far from lost, Markakis will have to put together some strong weeks to get close to his normal numbers.

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