ST. PETERSBURG, Florida–What happened? The Orioles had just endured their most wrenching loss of the season. Through seven innings, they had held the Tampa Bay Rays, who have the best record in the American League, to a run on two hits.
The Orioles had a 3-1 lead thanks to six superb innings from Shane Baz and home runs by Pete Alonso and Samuel Basallo in the sixth.
After Tyler Wells threw a spotless seventh, Anthony Nunez came in for the eighth, and the Rays quickly put four runs together, and suddenly the Orioles had lost for the fifth time on the six-game road trip, 5-3, before 11,846 at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.
The Orioles (21-29) lost two of three in Washington and suffered their third sweep of the season against Tampa Bay (33-15).
“It’s a big-time gut punch, for sure,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It’s a 3-1 lead going into the eighth with our guys that we trust a lot, that have been throwing extremely well, and by no means did we ever think the game was wrapped up.”
Hunter Feduccia, whose second-inning home run against Baz gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the second, led off the eighth with a bunt single. After Taylor Walls popped to short, Chandler Simpson hit into a force play. Junior Caminero singled Simpson to third, and Jonathan Aranda doubled to score Simpson and pinch-runner Oliver Dunn to tie it, 3-3.
Nunez (2-1) walked Ryan Vilade, and the suddenly fallible Rico Garcia allowed an RBI single to Richie Palacios, giving the Rays a 4-3 lead. Tampa Bay orchestrated a double steal with Vilade scoring and Palacios taking second.
Ian Seymour relieved Jesse Scholtens (5-2) and retired the Orioles in the ninth for his second save.
The Orioles were just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base.
“[We] left some meat on the bone,” Albernaz said. “Where a couple opportunities where we didn’t go first to third on some balls in the outfield, where to get those extra runs, where we’re operating right offensively and on the baserunning side, we’re taking those extra bases and getting to third base with less than two outs and be able to sac fly or have the infield in and move the ball forward.”
The Orioles tied the score, 1-1, in the third when Taylor Ward walked with one out. Gunnar Henderson, who had three hits, singled and, with two outs, Alonso singled against Steven Matz, who came off the injured list to start and pitch four innings.
Tyler O’Neill’s sinking liner to right could have added to the Orioles’ lead, but rightfielder Jonny DeLuca made an excellent diving catch to end the inning.
Jackson Holliday, who didn’t start, hit for Weston Wilson in the sixth, and played his first major league inning at third base. Holliday immediately fielded Caminero’s soft grounder in the bottom of the sixth. He moved to second base for the seventh.
How did Baz pitch? Baz gave the Orioles an excellent chance to end a downbeat road trip with a win.
On Monday, Baz, who was traded to the Orioles from the Rays last December, was surrounded by the local media who cover the Rays and received a welcome back and thank you on the scoreboard.
Besides Feduccia’s homer run, Caminero led off with a single in the third, Baz got Aranda to hit into a 3-6-3 double play, started and ended by Alonso. He retired 10 more in a row to conclude his outing.
Baz threw 98 pitches, walked three and struck out six. Two of his walks were two-out walks in the first to Aranda and Vilade.
He had a rough start to the season but thinks this was his best start of the season.
“I feel like my last four have been solid,” Baz said. “I was just really happy with the way I kind of battled back after those first two innings. [They] were kind of ugly with the walks but, yeah, that was as good as any of them so far.”
How does Alonso feel? Alonso got a chance to play at home for the series. He was born and lives in Tampa. He was happy to be home but terribly disappointed with the series loss.
“There’s a difference between playing relaxed and being … because being relaxed is like you’re on your heels, just being a little overconfident,” Alonso said. “It’s like you’re still aggressive, but you still have like the mental freedom to trust and execute your game plan, whether it be running the bases, defensively or offensively.
“There’s an in between where you can’t be obviously overamped or you can’t be too lax or too laid back. There’s a perfect middle ground in that, and to be honest that differs from guy to guy, but if we can find that as a team and find that as individuals when we combine that together, I think you’re going to see a lot better baseball and a lot better product on the field.”
What does it mean? The Orioles are letting the season slip away. They’re 6-13 in May.
What’s the stat of the day? 117-70. The Orioles have been outscored by 47 runs this month. It’s the most runs allowed in May by any major league team.
What’s the word? ”We just got to play cleaner and better baseball because that’s a really good ballclub over there. Thought we had them, but we’ve got to play a complete game. I mean, yeah, thought we had them, but gotta close the door.”-Alonso on playing the Rays
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Trey Gibson allowed one run on three hits in three innings as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Jacksonville, 4-2. The Tides had just three hits.
Norfolk right-hander Levi Wells was placed on the 7-day injured list with right hip discomfort.
Boston Bateman allowed two hits in five scoreless innings as High-A Frederick beat Greenville, 6-2. The Keys had 17 hits. Leandro Arias had four hits.
What’s next? The Orioles are off on Thursday. They’re scheduled to open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers on Friday night. Chris Bassitt (3-3, 5.44) will start for the Orioles. Detroit has yet to name its starter.
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