Adley Rutschman is playing frustrated, as is much of the Orioles lineup. He stepped to the plate Sunday with a chance to momentarily reverse that feeling as the potential go-ahead run in the late innings.

After Rutschman swung through strike three, he trudged back to the dugout. It’s become a common sight this season. Nobody has an answer to the question: Why is the All-Star struggling?

The catcher entered Sunday hitting .178 with a .544 OPS over his last 53 contests. His issues coincide with his team’s, which has a losing record since the start of July and is similarly desperate for solutions. When Rutschman was steady, so were the Orioles. With him searching for himself, so is his team.

Nobody can identify exactly what’s wrong with Rutschman. Time is running out to find the answer.

“He’s playing really frustrated,” manager Brandon Hyde said after Sunday’s 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in which Rutschman went 0-for-3 with a walk. “He’s trying to find it. He’s working hard every single day, doing everything he can to try to get the feeling and find his rhythm and timing at the plate. Just having a tough time right now.”

Rutschman’s problems are a continuation of what’s gone from a slump to an underwhelming third season. On June 30, he was hitting .294 with 15 home runs, and the rest of his totals were in line with what he posted as a rookie and sophomore. His average has since dropped to .253. He’s been worth negative wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs, since the start of July and has two home runs in his past 192 plate appearances.

Rutschman’s average launch angle of 19.1 degrees is the highest of his career, according to Baseball Savant. So is his 31.9% flyball rate. He’s pulling the ball more, working the opposite field less, and has the worst barrel rate of his career.

When asked about his slump after Sunday’s loss, the two-time All-Star chose to look forward to the road ahead for Baltimore rather than discuss his difficulties at the plate.

“I think focusing on this playoff run and what we’re trying to do here is the most important thing right now,” he said. “I think right now we’re focused on the team and focused on our playoff push.”

Rutschman plays a demanding position, a reality the Orioles recognize and offer frequent days off accordingly. Rutschman surely has nagging ailments — every catcher does this time of year. But he said he feels good. Physical limitations aren’t to blame for his struggles.

“I feel good,” he said. “Excited for these last couple games before playoffs.”

Rutschman has hit second in the lineup 113 times this season. Anthony Santander has the second-most games logged there at 19. Rutschman has hit fifth or lower only nine times as Hyde has stuck with his catcher in one of the batting order’s most important spots.

The Orioles’ lineup has featured Rutschman in the No. 2 spot in 13 of their past 15 contests. He’s 9-for-50 over that stretch, and Baltimore is 8-7 in those games.

With only four runs scored across his team’s past four games, Hyde was asked if he thought shuffling his lineup or altering playing time would give his team a spark.

“I think I’ve done all those things,” the manager said.

The Orioles have 18 games remaining in the regular season. They’re on the verge of cementing a playoff spot, but they aren’t gaining ground in the race for the American League East crown.

Rutschman finding his swing would go a long way in achieving that goal.

“Baseball is a tough game,” Rutschman said. “You’re going to have ups and downs. Our guys are going to be ready to go for tomorrow.”