O’s end their 10-game run against the Rays, Yankees and Rays going 5-5

Right-hander Shane Baz continues to not get much run support – none today – and the Orioles offense is still inconsistent.

With today’s 3-1 home loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles failed to sweep this series and ended a 10-game run playing the Rays, Yankees and Rays going 5-5.

They held their own versus the two clubs with the best records in the American League. But while holding their own, they lost 10 days on the calender.

When this stretch of games began, the Orioles (63-68) were two games out for the third AL wild-card and trailed five other teams. As of this morning, before this loss, they were one game back and trailed three teams.

No one is running away with this playoff spot in a very, very mediocre American League.

After Monday’s off-day, the O’s head on the road for nine games versus St. Louis, the Athletics and Colorado.

There have 31 games remaining in the 2026 season. The O’s need to go 19-12 (.613) or better to win 82 or more and have a winning season. Of course, it’s possible, something less than that could get a playoff spot.

As for Baz, today was another day with luck – all of it bad. Yes, again.

Throwing yet another gem, Baz went to the top of the sixth in a game tied at 0-0. He got the first two outs on eight pitches. Then Yandy Diaz hit a hard grounder at 108 mph to the left of second baseman Jackson Holliday. He ranged over but could not get to the ball and it went for a two-out hit.

A single, wild pitch for a 1-0 lead, RBI single and walk followed and Baz’s day, just like that, was over.

To go along with his bad luck – once again getting little run support and a play not made there by his defense – reliever Grant Wolfram gave up an RBI single for a 3-0 Rays lead and that run was charged to Baz’s record.

He went 5 2/3 allowing five hits and three runs with three walks and three strikeouts on 96 pitches.

He is now 4-14 with an ERA of 4.04. He began today tied for the MLB lead in losses.

He also began the day having gotten just 15 runs of offensive support his last 11 starts and got zero added to that today.

Baz has recorded 11 quality starts this year and the Orioles are 2-9 in those games. They are 31-9 (.775) when anyone else delivers a QS in 2026.

The Orioles have now lost Baz’s last seven starts and are 1-11 in his starts since June 18. His ERA in those 12 games is 4.02. For the season Baz has made 26 starts and the Orioles are 6-20.

In taking three of four in their recent series at Tampa Bay, the O’s scored 26 runs in those games and went 11-for-33 with runners in scoring position. But in their past six games against the Yankees and Rays they scored just 14 runs, going 2-for-29 with RISP.

Pete Alonso’s 14-game hitting streak ended as he went 0-for-4. During the streak he hit .481 with seven homers, 14 RBIs and an OPS of 1.448.

The O’s streak of drawing at least one walk, easily the current longest in the majors, ended today at 121 straight since April 6.

Colton Cowser’s ninth inning homer today ended Tampa Bay’s shutout bid but the team had just two hits today and he had both. The rest of the lineup went 0-for-27.

After going 15-8 in July, the Orioles are 9-12 in August.

FELIX IN BOWIE

It was fantastic that right-hander Felix Bautista, after his labrum procedure of late last year, made it back on a pro mound today. He was the starter this afternoon at Double-A Chesapeake but had a rocky outing for the Baysox.

Bautista’s day, where he threw 22 pitches, just 10 for strikes, saw him get just one out allowing one hit, three runs with three walks and no strikeouts. His fastball averaged 95 mph and topped at 97. He threw five sliders at 84.4 mph and one split at 88.

He is now scheduled to join Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday when they play at Durham.

SUNDAY NIGHT WILD CARD UPDATE

When the O’s 10-game run against the Rays and Yankees started they were two games back of the third AL wild card. As it ends, after Sunday’s games, they are still two games out for that playoff spot.

Right now, Cleveland and Texas (both 65-66) are co-leaders for that spot. They lead Toronto by 1.5 games and lead the Orioles and Minnesota by two games. Seattle is three back and Detroit 3.5 out for the AL’s sixth and final playoff spot.

Now the O’s head out on a nine-game trip beginning Tuesday with three each at St. Louis (66-66), the Athletics (51-80) and Colorado (50-80). The Athletics and Rockies have the two worst records in MLB.

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