Described on the MASN post-game show as a “gut punch”, Wednesday’s 12-8 loss by the Baltimore Orioles to the Tampa Bay Rays (41-33) was more like what Ryan O’Hearn called being swept by the Minnesota Twins (5/14-15), “this feels like a kick in the nuts, for sure”.
Paraphrasing Charles Dickens, the game was the best of times and it was the worst of times. The Baltimore half of the second inning, in which they posted eight runs, represented the offensive output fans anticipated from this roster. A walk, three singles, a Tampa fielding error and three homeruns resulted in the eight runs. Including Gunnar Henderson‘s (2 for 4, 2B, R, RBI) first inning double, the hit total was at seven and Tampa starter Taj Bradley was gone from the contest.
Colton Cowser (1 for 3, HR, R, 3 RBI, SB, HBP), Cedric Mullins (1 for 4, HR, R, RBI) and Ramon Laureano (1 for 4, HR, R, 3 RBI) all hit longballs in the inning.
The Baltimore offense then inexplicably went into hybernation, striking out five times over the final seven innings and only going one batter over the minimum (Cowser’s sixth inning hit by pitch).
Meanwhile the Rays chipped away at the Orioles’ lead, scoring runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to tie the contest at eight. A four run seventh inning outburst represented the final difference and for all intents and purposes, sealed Baltimore’s embarassment.
Interim Manager Tony Mansolino hoped to get out of starter Trevor Rogers what the team got in Boston (6.1 IP, 2 H), instead he got more of AAA Rogers. The starter allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work; he needed 71 pitches (43 strikes) to do so.
What followed was a parade of relievers who gave up runs. Scott Blewett (1.2 IP, R, 3 H), Yennier Cano (0.2 IP, 4 R, 4 H, HR, BB) and Andrew Kittredge (1.0 IP, 4 R, 4 H, BB, 2 K, WP) each threw gasoline on the fire.
At least Seranthony Dominguez (1.1 IP, 2 H) and Bryan Baker (1.0 IP, K) kept the Rays off the scoreboard.
Kittredge (1-1) was tagged with the loss because someone had to be but make no mistake about it, this was a TOTAL TEAM loss!
Gary Sanchez went 1 for 4 with a run scored, Jackson Holliday went 1 for 5 with a run scored and Jordan Westburg went 0 for 4 with a run scored.
Post-game there was some talk of missed strike calls by homeplate umpire Shane Livensparger and his squeezing of the zone on Rogers as well as the moaning about the heat and humidity in Tampa, all excuses in an effort to gloss over the collapse. The heat and humidity complaints are laughable because that is what Baltimore has, especially in July and August. Jim Palmer‘s (HOF ’90) honesty is certainly missed at times like this.
2025 Record: 31-42
Next Game: Thurs. 6/19 @ 7:35 vs. Rays in Tampa Bay
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