masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAfter scoring nine runs last night and 67 during their 9-2 homestand, the Orioles were blanked 3-0 by Tampa Bay to lose tonight’s series opener.

With a win, the Orioles would have opened a lead of at least 10 games atop the American League East for the first time since Sept. 22, 1979.

After starters Wei-Yin Chen and Alex Cobb matched zeroes, Tampa Bay finally broke the scoreless tie in the last of the eighth against the O’s bullpen.

Evan Longoria and Wil Myers led off with singles off…After scoring nine runs last night and 67 during their 9-2 homestand, the Orioles were blanked 3-0 by Tampa Bay to lose tonight’s series opener.

With a win, the Orioles would have opened a lead of at least 10 games atop the American League East for the first time since Sept. 22, 1979.

After starters Wei-Yin Chen and Alex Cobb matched zeroes, Tampa Bay finally broke the scoreless tie in the last of the eighth against the O’s bullpen.

chen-pitching-black-back-sidebar.jpgEvan Longoria and Wil Myers led off with singles off Ryan Webb before Evan Meek came in. Meek walked James Loney to load the bases.

Yunel Escobar then hit a hot smash toward second that went off Jonathan Schoop’s glove for an RBI single and 1-0 lead. Ryan Hanigan followed with a two-run single for a 3-0 lead.

Chen went six scoreless innings tonight to give the Orioles a fourth straight quality start. He pitched out of a couple of jams, allowing four hits with three walks and three strikeouts. He threw 107 pitches and gets a no-decision as he lowered his ERA from 3.83 to 3.69.

Over the past four games, Orioles starters have an ERA of 1.00. Over 27 innings, they have given up just 17 hits and three runs. Three of the four starters did not allow a run.

Meanwhile, Cobb was putting up zeroes against the Orioles. The right-hander gave up six hits with six strikeouts in seven scoreless innings. Cobb has now allowed two runs or less in 11 consecutive starts. Brad Boxberger pitched the eighth and Jake McGee the ninth for the Rays, who had lost eight of 11 games entering this series.

In eight career starts against the Orioles, Cobb has an ERA of 1.84.

The Orioles fall to 39-30 on the road, 33-21 against the AL East, 11-6 versus Tampa Bay and 82-58 for the season. With tonight’s Yankees loss to Kansas City, the O’s remain 9 1/2 games ahead of New York.

The Orioles fall to 29-18 in series-opening games and were shut out for the 10th time.

In the second game of this series on Saturday afternoon, Kevin Gausman (7-7, 3.93 ERA) pitches against Drew Smyly (9-10, 3.31 ERA).