By. Patrick Cavey

Thursday night was the start of a crucial four game series with the Tampa Bay Rays. In the end, the Baltimore Orioles lost the game 4-3 to the Rays after being stifled by the Tampa Bay bullpen. Four Tampa Bay relievers combined to no-hit the Orioles over 4.0 innings with 7 of 12 batters striking out, including all three ninth inning Orioles batters.

The Birds broke the ice with a second inning Ryan O’Hearn (1 for 4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI) homerun. The Rays answered and took the lead with three runs in their half of the third inning. Gunnar Henderson (1 for 4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI) homered in the fourth to draw the Orioles within one.

Loading the bases with a bunt, a walk and a pop-up in the infield with no outs, the Orioles managed to score just one run. Adam Frazier (0 for 3, 1 RBI) grounded into a fielder’s choice that plated Cedric Mullins (1 for 3, 1 R). Adley Rutschman (0 for 4) grounded into a double play on the first pitch thrown to him , ending the threat.

Mullins did make another, what is becoming routine, diving catch in the second inning.

The knock-out blow came in the seventh inning when Luke Raley hit a two out, 3-1 slider into centerfield for a homerun. That at-bat changed when homeplate umpire Nick Mahrley, who had a generous but inconsistent strikezone to say the least, called a close fourth pitch a ball; there is a big difference in a 2-2 to a 3-1 count as far as the pitch sequence is concerned.

Starter Kyle Bradish (11-7) took the loss despite giving the Orioles bullpen some much needed length. He allowed 4 runs on 7 hits (1 HR) and struck out 5 in 7.0 innings of work.

Heston Kjerstad (0 for 1) made his MLB debut, striking out swinging in the eighth inning for Jordan Westburg (1 for 2).

BOX SCORE

2023 Record: 91-55 Magic Number: 15

Next Game: Fri. 9/15 @ 7:05 pm vs. Tampa Bay @ OPACY

Jack Flaherty vs. Zach Eflin

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