What happened? Zach Eflin allowed seven runs and a career-high 12 hits as the Orioles lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-1, in the first of a four-game series at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Monday night.
Eflin (6-3) allowed runs in each of the five innings he threw, and allowed two home runs.
Josh Lowe hit a home run to the short right field in the Rays’ temporary home, leading off the first, and Brandon Lowe hit a two-run homer in the fourth.
Jake Magnum drove in three runs, on an infield single in the third and a two-run double in the fifth. Christopher Morel’s bunt single in the second also drove in a run.
Ryan Pepiot (4-6) allowed one run on Adley Rutschman’s fourth-inning home run. In eight innings, Pepiot gave up four hits, walked two and struck out 11.
“The fastball had a lot of life,” interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters in Tampa. “Some of the swings [Ramón] Urías took, you never see him take swings like that. The changeup was really good as well.”
Rutschman agreed that Pepiot was difficult to hit.
“He’s got a really good fastball, and his changeup has a lot of depth to it,” Rutschman told reporters in Tampa. “He just does a good job of working ahead, using his strengths.”
Said Mansolino: “I thought we had good energy, but it was more their pitching than anything. It was Pepiot’s night. He made it hard on our hitters.”
Gunnar Henderson extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single.
The Orioles (30-41) began their seven-game road trip with a decisive loss, just after sweeping the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend at Camden Yards. It was the first of 13 games between the Orioles and Rays (40-32).
Why did Eflin struggle? It was the second-worst start of Eflin’s season.
“I think just location of pitches,” he told reporters in Tampa. “They were doing some different stuff today, so it was hard to locate. When they were in the zone, they were hit.
“My shapes weren’t typical today, so it was hard to locate. When I expected them to do something, they weren’t doing it. They did a good job battling. They had a good game plan coming in. They had a lot of first-pitch hit. They played small ball with a couple of bunts.”
Mansolino said it wasn’t Eflin’s night.
“It seemed like he was kind of yanking some stuff,” Mansolino said. “When Ef’s really good, it’s kind of location-based, and he probably didn’t have his best location.”
What’s going on with Povich? The Orioles placed left-hander Cade Povich on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation. Mansolino told reporters that he thought the injury was a minor one.
The Orioles are expected to start Trevor Rogers on Wednesday night against Tampa Bay. Colin Selby was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday and pitched two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out five.
What does it mean? The Orioles need to hit much better in the remaining three games of the series to avoid a losing road trip.
What’s the stat of the day? At its apex, Rutschman’s home run was 154 feet high, but it was hit only 329 feet.
“I hit it hard. I didn’t know how high it was going to be because I hit it high off the bat,” Rutschman said. “Hit the ball hard and hope that good things happen.”
What’s the word? “You just live in the moment and try and learn from the last pitch you’ve thrown.”-Eflin on his performance.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Double-A Chesapeake right-hander Nestor German was named as the Eastern League’s Pitcher of the Week.
What’s next? Dean Kremer (5-7, 4.99) will face Zack Littell (6-6, 3.84) on Tuesday night at 7:35.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com