Saturday, 4 a.m.
Rarely has a hot streak ended so sudden, so ugly, so embarrassing as this.
The Tampa Bay Rays, fresh off a sweep of the Kansas City Royals, blew a 6-0 lead and gave up a franchise-most 22 runs in Friday night’s 22-8 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
The O’s had 22 hits — four home runs — and eight walks in the victory. They scored at least three runs in five different innings.
It was a total humiliation for the Rays, who struggled to get the O’s out all night. Baltimore, in last place in the AL East, cruised. The Rays gave up at least 20 runs in a game for the eighth time in franchise history.
Ryan Pepiot lasted only five outs and before he gave up four earned runs. Eric Orze gave up three in two innings. Edwin Uceta gave up three in two-thirds of an inning, Forrest Whitley gave up two in one inning and shortstop Jose Caballero gave up six in pitching the ninth inning.
The Rays had given up just 21 runs in their previous six games.
Gunnar Henderson and Gary Sanchez each had four hits for Baltimore. Ramon Urias and Colton Cowser each had three. Ramon Laureano and Coby Mayo each had two.
For the Rays, Brandon Lowe had three hits. Yandy Diaz, Jake Mangum, Josh Lowe ad Danny Jansen all had two.
Before Friday, the Rays’ largest blown lead was four runs. This time, it was six … and they lost by 14.
Tampa Bay fell to a game and a half behind the Yankees in the AL East Race.
Tampa Bay and Baltimore play again today at 4:05 p.m. at Camden Yards. Zack Littell will start for the Rays against ex-Ray Zach Eflin.