Orioles continue to struggle on offense in 2-0 loss to Rays

BALTIMORE—The Orioles’ weekend featured two losses in three games with the Tampa Bay Rays and just three runs and 14 hits. On Sunday, the Orioles were shut out for the sixth time this season on just five hits, in a 2-0 loss to Tampa Bay before 29,516 at Camden Yards.

Corbin Burnes pitched well, but didn’t get any help from his offense. Burnes allowed a two-run home run to Jonny DeLuca in the sixth and allowed seven hits, walking two and striking out three.

Burnes (13-8) did allow three runners to steal against him, though Tampa Bay’s Christopher Morel came off the base on his slide and was called out in the first inning. He’s allowed 41 of 46 runners to steal against him.

Jose Caballero stole second and third in the second inning. Caballero was the front end of a double steal with Taylor Walls, but Burnes struck out Ben Rortvedt to end the second.

The Orioles’ best early shot at scoring came in the first when Gunnar Henderson, who had three of their five hits, led off with a single, and moved to second when Walls dropped the relay throw from Morel at second base on Ryan O’Hearn’s grounder.

Zack Littell (6-9) allowed three hits in five-plus scoreless innings, walking one and striking out four. Richard Lovelady recorded four outs, and Kevin Kelly recorded two outs.

Coby Mayo walked as a pinch-hitter for Nick Maton against Garrett Cleavinger in the eighth. Henderson reached on an infield single, and after Adley Rutschman struck out, Edwin Uceta struck out Eloy Jiménez and Anthony Santander.

The Orioles (82-62) didn’t score in the ninth, though Cedric Mullins, who had the other two hits, singled to right with one out. Uceta, who recorded his second save, struck out Austin Slater, walked Jackson Holliday before Mayo struck out to end the game.

The Orioles left nine runners on base and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Mayo played first base in the ninth inning for the first time in the major leagues.