Pic: Patrick Cavey

Sunday’s game with the Tampa Bay Rays began with a Cedric Mullins (1 for 3, 2 Runs Scored, 1 RBI, 1 BB, HBP) lead-off homerun, a homerun that made him the 7th Oriole to record 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in a season; the feat has been done a total of 9 times in Orioles history. All was good until the 8th inning, when Brett Phillips hit a grand slam homerun, his second homer of the game and the game ended with the Orioles on the wrong side of a 9-6 score.

Anthony Santander (3 for 5, 1 2B, 1 Run Scored, 2 RBI) homered in the 3rd inning to give the Birds a 4-1 lead.

Jorge Lopez started and gave the Orioles 6.0 quality innings. He allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 2 walks, 5 strikeouts and 1 homerun allowed (Austin Meadows). It was Lopez’s second quality start this month and was wasted when the bullpen coughed up 7 runs.

Whether the reason is mechanical, overwork or a combination of both, Paul Fry was the most ineffective of the four relievers manager Brandon Hyde called on. Fry lasted just one-third of an inning, having allowed 4 runs on 1 hit while walking 3 and taking the loss.

Dillon Tate not only gave up Phillips grand slam, he finished with a line of 2 runs allowed on 1 hit with 1 walk and 1 strike out over 0.2 inning.

Dusten Knight pitched the ninth and gave up 1 hit, walked 1 and struck out 1.

One thing is for certain, with the bullpen now a game isn’t over until the 27th out is recorded, win or lose.

Box Score

2021 Record: 38-72

Next Game: Tues. Aug 10 @ 7:05pm