masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe bottom of the ninth set up nicely for new O’s closer Mike Gonzalez. Tampa had the bottom of the lineup coming up.

But Gonzalez gave up a two-run single to Carl Crawford with the bases loaded and one out as Tampa stole the game from the Birds 4-3 on Opening Night at the Trop.

The O’s offense had to rely on three solo homers on the night. The Birds just could not get the clutch hit to break this game before the ninth.

They went 1 for 12 tonight with runners in scoring position, but…The bottom of the ninth set up nicely for new O’s closer Mike Gonzalez. Tampa had the bottom of the lineup coming up.

But Gonzalez gave up a two-run single to Carl Crawford with the bases loaded and one out as Tampa stole the game from the Birds 4-3 on Opening Night at the Trop.

The O’s offense had to rely on three solo homers on the night. The Birds just could not get the clutch hit to break this game before the ninth.

They went 1 for 12 tonight with runners in scoring position, but left 10 men on base, seven in scoring position.

They had runners on 2nd and 3rd with no out in the 4th and didn’t score and runners on 1st and 3rd and no out in the 9th and did not score.

A tough loss on a night they did a lot right. Millwood’s strong start, the pen solid until the end, three longballs, Tejada’s defense was solid. But, a loss.

The Rays did not have the led until that final hit.

Heartbreak in Tampa. This one should have been a winner.