With two outs in the eighth inning Sunday, Dylan Bundy'spitch count inched above 50. He was down to his last batter, according to manager Buck Showalter, with Tampa Bay Rays No. 9 hitter Jaff Decker having just hit a single to right field.

Six pitches later, Bundy bore down and induced a pop-up from Logan Forsythe, finishing with three scoreless innings.

The Orioles' long-relief experiment with Bundy continues to pay off.

“That was probably one of the keys to the game,” Showalter said. “Really proud of how he's kind of come on and been a contributor as opposed to a guy who's out of options.”

Bundy has made six straight appearances on at least three days' rest, and four straight on four days' rest. Sunday was his highest pitch count of the season. He struck out four and allowed just two hits.

In his past five outings, the 23-year-old has pitched to a 1.50 ERA while settling into his role.

“I was a starter for my whole career, so it makes sense why I'm a little bit more crisp and have a little bit more on the fastball with four days' rest or even three days' rest,” Bundy said. “But I'm just adjusting to the role they give me and throwing whenever they want me to.”

The Orioles have been stretching him out to become a starter in the future without sending him down to the minors. Since he has no minor league options remaining, Showalter said he's somewhat like a Rule 5 draft pick who cannot be demoted. Of course, unlike most Rule 5 picks, Bundy has the added pressure of having been the fourth overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player draft.

Tolliver headed back to Norfolk: Orioles left-hander Ashur Tolliver's second stay in the big leagues was another short one, as the team optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk after Sunday's win against Tampa Bay.

Tolliver, who was recalled Wednesday to replace injured left-hander Brian Duensing (elbow), did not pitch in this stint in the major leagues. He made his big league debut May 26 and made four appearances last month, totaling four innings and three earned runs.

The Orioles left after Sunday's game for a nine-game West Coast road trip, starting Tuesday night in San Diego. Showalter hinted after the game that the club, moments before it announced the move, would try to travel near full strength because of the difficulty of flying out a minor league player during the trip. Tolliver's wife is due to have the couple's child on July 7, meaning he could have been unavailable for three days if he left and came back.

The Orioles now have a spot open on the 25-man roster that they can use to recall another reliever ahead of Tuesday night's series opener.

Davis earns day off playing in the field: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis doesn't get many days off the field, but Showalter managed to find him one Sunday.

Davis had played in 73 of 74 games this season — his only day off coming June 8 — and started at first base in all of them. Sunday, he was the starter at designated hitter, with Mark Trumbo taking his spot at first base ahead of today's day off in San Diego.

“I'm trying to get Chris two days off the field,” Showalter said. “He hasn't had many.”

Davis rewarded his manager with an opposite-field grand slam in the first inning.

Around the horn: Reliever Darren O'Day threw off a full mound Saturday after throwing off a half mound Thursday and came out of it well, according to Showalter. Barring setbacks, he could be activated during the team's West Coast road trip, which ends July 6 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

jlourim@baltsun.com

twitter.com/jakelourim