Thursday, 4 a.m.
No, really. They're in first place.
Oh, sure, the Tampa Bay Rays aren't playing like it. They were clobbered again Wednesday night, 11-2 by Baltimore at Camden Yards.
It left the Rays with a season-long four-game losing streak as their lead in the AL East dwindled.
It was embarrassing. The Rays didn't pitch well, didn't hit well and didn't field well.
Consider:
-- In four games, the Rays gave up 28 runs (and scored 10). They gave up 42 hits. Offensively, there were just seven for 38 with runners in scoring position.
-- In four games, the Rays' bullpen gave up 20 runs.
-- The Rays saw O's player Blaze Alexander drive in six rund. Gummer Henderson had two home run.
-- The O's scored five runs in the first and cruised.
-- Hunter Feduccia had three hit Jonathan Aranda had two.
-- The Rays frustrations can be defined by their eighth inning. The Rays loaded the bases with no one out. After a walk forced in one run, former Ray Andrew Kittredge struck out. three straight Rays.
The Rays are off today. They host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday at 7:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Nick Martinez will pitch for the Rays against Walbert Urena.