Game recap
Bundy out early; offense can't cash in
But the Orioles couldn't complete a sweep of the reeling Rays, dropping a 5-2 decision Sunday as Tampa Bay ended its eight-game losing streak in front of an announced 16,161.
Former first-round draft pick
“It was more about us not scoring any runs today,” Showalter said. “We had a couple opportunities and could have cashed in on and didn't. Odorrizi was good.”
The Orioles (53-37) were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They opened the game by putting two runners in scoring position when
Schoop was stranded in the third after his second double of the day — this time with one out. Machado grounded out and Davis struck out to end the inning.
Davis then stranded the bases loaded with a shallow flyout to end the fifth — an inning that opened with back-to-back singles from No.?8 hitter
“We had him on the ropes a few times and just couldn't cash in,” Joseph said of Odorizzi, who allowed just two runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking one.
“That's the one person I can hear no matter how many people are in the stands,” Hart said. “I heard that and kind of smiled a little bit inside and said, ‘It's time to go to work.' It was fun.”
Showalter had been looking for a good opportunity for Hart to get his first major league appearance since joining the team Friday from Double-A Bowie. An opportunity emerged in the sixth inning against a part of Tampa Bay's lineup that had three straight left-handed hitters.
The sidearm-throwing Hart needed just six pitches to retire two lefties, getting a flyout from
“It's nice,” Hart said. “I saw the lineup today and saw the three lefties in a row and kinda knew those were the guys I would get. It's nice it worked out in a fresh inning.”
It was important to give Hart a look before the Orioles left for New York, where he might be needed again against a Yankees lineup with its share of lefthanders.
Hart was given a game ball as a keepsake of his debut.
“It's going to go to Mama Hart,” he said.
Alvarez took a 1-2 elevated sinker the opposite way into the left-field seats for his second homer in as many starts. He homered in Friday's series opener, and missed a second home run that night by inches when one of this hits bounced off the top of the railing above the left-field fence.
Alvarez is hitting .315 with nine homers and 20 RBIs in his past 26 games.