This is the week that will tell us alot about the 2025 Orioles as they play foour games in Tampa and three games in the Bronx. Beating up on the Chicago White Sox, the Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels is one thing but beating up on the big boys of the AL East is another.
Interim Manager Tony Mansolino called it in his pre-game comments when he said that starting pitching and the bullpen were key to wins in MLB. I don’t hink he expected the Tampa Bay Rays (40-32) to best the Baltimore Orioles in that manner Monday night, as the Birds fell by a score of 7-1.
Tampa’s starter, Ryan Pepiot (4-6), bested Baltimore’s starter Zach Eflin (6-3). Pepiot earned the win for an 8.0 inning effort where he allowed a run on 4 hits, one, a homerun, while walking 1 and striking out 11. Eflin, on the other hand, allowed 7 runs on 12 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 2 over 5.0 innings and took the loss.
Eflin surrendered homeruns to both Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe.
The lone Baltimore run came in the fourth inning when Adley Rutschman (1 for 4, HR, R, RBI) homered 357 ft. down the right field line.
Managing to tally a hit in the game were Gunnar Henderson (1 for 4), Jordan Westburg (1 for 2, BB) and Dylan Carlson (1 for 3).
The bullpen duo of Gregory Soto (1.0 IP, 3 K) and Colin Selby (2.0 IP, 2 H) held the Rays scoreless but sadly, the damage was already done.
2025 Record: 30-41
Next Game: Tues. 6/17 @ 7:35 pm vs. Rays in Tampa