Orioles’ offensive woes continue as frustration mounts in 2-0 loss to Rays

BALTIMORE- What happened? It was a quiet Orioles clubhouse after they managed just five hits in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. They scored only three runs in their three games with the Rays, the last two losses.

Gunnar Henderson had three of the Orioles’ five hits on Sunday. Cedric Mullins had the other two.

The Orioles remained 1/2 game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Yankees lost to the Cubs, 2-1.

Oriole starter Corbin Burnes allowed a two-run home run to Jonny DeLuca in the sixth inning but got no offensive support.

The Orioles are 24-24 in the second half of the season, and they haven’t had a sustained productive stretch.

“Really since the All-Star break it’s been a challenge,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Tough time offensively. Guys are swinging a little bit frustrated and pressing. Trying to do way, way, way too much. Way too many big swings.”

Adley Rutschman was hitless in 10 at-bats this weekend. Anthony Santander and Ryan O’Hearn were both 1-for-11.

“We’re having a tough time right now, especially with runners in scoring position,” Santander said. “We have to start doing a better job, trying to move the runner or bring him in.”

What’s wrong with Rutschman? In the second half of the season, Rutschman is hitting just .197 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.

“We had a much better record in the first half but baseball is a game of ups and downs and just continuing to work through stuff and we’re always working on our process and trying to get better and we’re going to continue to do that,” Rutschman said.

Twice he was asked about his health, and said he’s not being affected by any injuries.

“I feel good. I feel good. Excited for these last couple games before playoffs and trying to do the best job we can,” Rutschman said.

Hyde has noticed the lack of production getting to Rutschman.

“He’s just playing really frustrated,” Hyde said. “He’s trying to find it. Like I said the other day, he’s working hard every single day, doing everything he can to try to get the feeling and find his rhythm and timing at the plate, and he’s just having a tough time right now.”

Hyde rejected talk that perhaps the switch-hitting Rutschman would hit better if he only hit right-handed. He’s hitting .338 right-handed and just .218 left-handed.

“He hasn’t had a ton of, very many right-handed at-bats in the last month or so. We haven’t faced many left-handed pitchers,” Hyde said.

Can the offense be fixed? On Wednesday, the Orioles scored just one run in losing to the White Sox, and the five runs in four games is their worst offensive stretch of the second half. In their five-game losing streak from July 9^th-13^th, they scored only four runs.

“The swings are looking too hard right now,” Santander said. “We have to be shorter to the ball and put the ball in play, especially with runners in scoring position.”

Since hitting his game-winning grand slam against Houston on August 23^rd, Santander has just one home run and five RBIs. With his next home run, he’ll have just the ninth 40 home run season in Orioles history.

“Especially this time of the season. I try to get those runners in with a base-hit,” Santander said. “It’s been tough, but tomorrow’s another day and another opportunity to make an adjustment.”

Burnes notices frustration, too.

“We kind of go in stretches where it kind of looks like we’re coming out of it,” he said. “Two steps forward, one step back. So it kind of feels like we start to get there, and then, a couple bad days and it kind of feels like we reset and start over. We’re still right there in the hunt. Whether it’s for first, whether it’s the wild card, whatever it may be, we know we’re going to be a postseason team.

“We’ve got 18 games left now to get it all figured out and get on a hot streak and to take it through the postseason. It just feels like we’re right there and just haven’t quite turned the corner yet.”

How did Burnes throw? Burnes allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings, walking two and striking out three on 93 pitches.

“The difference in the game was one swing of the bat today,” he said. “Threw the ball pretty well, got a lot of weak contact. A lot of weak contact went for hits today, but kind of how it goes. The 1-1 slider wasn’t a bad pitch, kind of went down and got it and put a good swing on it, and that was the difference today.”

Rutschman was impressed with how Burnes pitched.

“I thought he looked really good today,” he said. “Obviously, one big swing from them, and they’re a good team, but I thought Burnes did a really good job today. Was able to mix his stuff around and looked really sharp.”

What does it mean? The Orioles’ offense continues to be weak, and while they’re heading for the postseason, they’ll need to hit better in the final 18 games to have a chance to advance in October.

What’s the word? “I’ve tried all those things.”-Hyde on whether he’d consider lineup changes and resting players.

What’s the stat of the day? .253. Rutschman’s .253 batting average is a season low.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Shortstop Niko Goodrum homered twice and drove in five runs in Triple-A Norfolk’s 9-7 loss to Charlotte. Rightfielder Hudson Haskin also homered.

Centerfielder Dylan Beavers hit his 15^th home run in Double-A Bowie’s 7-3 loss to Harrisburg.  

Heston Kjerstad was 2-for-2 in his second rehab game for High-A Aberdeen in the IronBirds’ 4-3 win over Jersey Shore. Centerfielder Vance Honeycutt had two hits and drove in two runs in Aberdeen’s final game of the season.

The IronBirds ended the season 67-65.

Designated hitter Braylin Tavera hit a three-run homer. Catcher Colin Tuft and leftfielder Edwin Amparo also homered as Single-A Delmarva ended its season with a 9-3 win over Carolina.

The Shorebirds finished 53-78.

What’s next? The Orioles will begin a three-game series at Boston’s Fenway Park on Monday night. Cade Povich (2-7, 5.76) will start against Brayan Bello (12-7, 4.75). Game time is 7:10 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com