Bob Haynie: Bad Weekend For The Orioles
This past Friday, the Baltimore Orioles began a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards. The Rays came to town in last place in the AL East and sporting a subpar 13-23 record on the road.
Since the Orioles were already 7-1 against Tampa Bay this season, a spanking was expected by many. Of course, a spanking did take place.
When the carnage was over, the Rays had taken three of four games from the beleaguered Birds.
The two teams split a day-night doubleheader on Friday. On Saturday, former Oriole lefty Erik Bedard baffled Baltimore with slow stuff as the Rays held on for a 5-4 victory. Sunday's 12-7 loss was the toughest of the weekend for the Orioles.
Leading 4-3 heading into the sixth, Orioles' pitchers were helpless as the Rays scored seven runs to take a commanding 10-4 lead. Tampa smashed five home runs and pounded out 18 hits as they won the series finale on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
It was a rough series for the Birds who could have gained ground on the sagging Toronto Blue Jays in the division. Instead, they continue to struggle at home and tread water in the mediocre AL East.
The positive is that the Blue Jays have not been able to take advantage of the mediocrity.
Monday, the Orioles will begin a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. The Rangers, who have lost eight of their last 10 games, are 37-44 and 14 games behind the Oakland A's in the AL West.
Heading into the Texas series, the Birds are only 3-4 on the 11-game home stand. If the Birds want to salvage things in front of the home fans, it would behoove them to start on Monday night against the Rangers.
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