The Baltimore Orioles try to avoid the majors' longest
losing streak in over five years this evening, when they wrap up what has been
a disastrous road trip against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Baltimore has lost the first nine games of this trek and has dropped 13 in a
row overall. The Orioles' misery continued on Wednesday, as Ben Zobrist went
2-for-4 with a three-run homer, helping Tampa Bay clinch its second winning
season in club history with a 5-3 victory in the third test of this series.
Carl Crawford belted a solo homer for the Rays, who recorded their first
winning season in franchise history last year when they finished 97-65 and
eventually captured the AL pennant.
James Shields (11-12) went eight innings for Tampa Bay, giving up three runs
on six hits. He also tied a season-high with eight strikeouts. Russ Springer
recorded the final two outs in the ninth to pick up his first save since 2001.
"It's always good to finish strong. There is nothing better than the last week
of the season," Shields said. "The good news for me is that I'm healthy."
Ty Wigginton stroked a two-run homer for the Orioles, whose 13 straight
defeats rank as the third-longest skid in team history. The Orioles have also
dropped 10 consecutive road games for the first time since August 24-September
13, 2003.
Another loss tonight would tie the second-longest skid in franchise history
set in August 1954. The Orioles' longest losing streak is a season-opening 21-
game slide in 1988 -- the last time the club lost 100 games.
The 13-game slide is also the longest one in the majors' since Arizona dropped
14 in a row in June 2004.
David Hernandez (4-10) got rocked in 4 1/3 frames for Baltimore, allowing five
runs on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts. He's now winless in
nine appearances since a victory against Oakland on August 11.
"It's tough. But the best thing to do is to come out tomorrow, don't look at
the scoreboard, and play the game inning-by-inning," Baltimore outfielder Luke
Scott said of the team's recent skid.
Baltimore has already clinched its most losses since 2001, and must win three
of its final four games to avoid its first 100-loss season since 1988. That
may be easier said than done, though, as the Orioles have gone 20-48 against
division rivals this season and are just 6-29 on the road against American
League East teams.
To make matters worse the Orioles will face right-hander Matt Garza, who is a
perfect 6-0 lifetime against them with a 2.70 ERA in seven starts.
Garza, though, was roughed up in his last start on Saturday in Texas, as the
Rangers hit him hard for seven runs and six hits in just 4 2/3 innings,
dropping him to 8-11, while raising his ERA to 3.93.
Baltimore, meanwhile, will send left-hander Chris Waters to the hill for his
first start of the season. Waters, who was 3-5 in 11 starts for the O's last
season, has made four appearances out of the bullpen this season and has
pitched to an 8.10 ERA in those outings.
The Rays have won 10 of 17 games with the Orioles this season and six of
eight matchups at Tropicana Field.
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