Are three subpar outings in a row from Trevor Rogers cause for concern or just a product of natural regression?

The staff ace has put himself under greater scrutiny after lasting only 1 2/3 innings today against the Red Sox. He allowed three runs and four hits with two walks, and his ERA climbed to 4.75.

Tyler Wells got the final out for Rogers and left the bases loaded, but the bats went from sizzling to mostly silent in less than 24 hours and the game unraveled for the Orioles in their 17-1 loss before an announced crowd of 33,582 at Camden Yards. They’re back under .500 at 13-14.

Here’s what can happen when the starter leaves early:

Keegan Akin made his 2026 debut after his reinstatement today from the injured list, retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the eighth and was charged with six runs in the ninth without retiring a batter. Andruw Monasterio hit a grand slam.

Weston Wilson made his fourth career relief appearance after tossing four scoreless innings with the Phillies. Caleb Durbin hit a two-run homer and Willson Contreras had a three-run shot. The 10 runs were the most scored by the Red Sox in an inning since a 13-run eighth against the Orioles on May 23, 2025.

This is the largest margin of defeat for the Orioles since a 24-2 loss to the Reds on April 20, 2025.

“For sure, it sucks to be on the losing side, but we know what this offense is capable of,” said Tyler O’Neill. “Just a good day for them overall, for sure.”

Rogers wasn’t expected to match the 1.81 ERA he posted in 18 starts last season, but he’s allowed 12 earned runs and 19 hits in his last three appearances over 11 1/3 innings. His ERA was 1.89 after his first three starts.

Today marked his shortest start since going one inning for the Marlins on Sept. 17, 2022 against the Nationals. The only other time that Rogers didn’t complete the second inning was April 16, 2022 against the Phillies, when he was removed after 1 2/3.

Manager Craig Albernaz removed Rogers after he threw 47 pitches in the second to bring his total to 62.

“The second inning, where they had four hits with two strikes, he just couldn’t get the ball where he wanted it to go. A lot of pitches out over the plate,” Albernaz said.

“The fastball shape was not where it usually is, the four-seam fastball. But I think other than that, it’s just the execution. Just the two-strike execution and getting to the spots where he needs to get it to, and to me that should be something he’s gonna fix here soon.”

When did Rogers know that it wasn’t his day?

“Probably when Alby took me out of the game,” he replied.

There was no temptation to leave Rogers out there in the second. He was entering a health danger zone.

“To be honest with you, I was uncomfortable with him throwing that many pitches or any pitcher throwing that many pitches during an inning,” Albernaz said. “I think right when we’re getting around like the upper 30s was when I started to really get uncomfortable. I don’t want anyone out there that long.”

Rogers was hit on the buttocks by a 98.7 mph comebacker from Ceddanne Rafaela leading off the top of the first inning. Rogers recorded the out and had to cover first base on back-to-back ground balls to Pete Alonso. It was an active 15-pitch inning.

Monasterio doubled to the center field fence with one out in the second. Rogers got a called third strike on Jarren Duran, but Durbin doubled after falling behind 0-2 in the count. Pitching coach Drew French came to the mound after Connor Wong walked, but Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Rafaela delivered RBI singles, the latter at 105.4 mph.

Contreras walked with the count full to load the bases and Albernaz made the switch to Wells, who didn’t allow a run in 1 1/3 innings.

“The luck really isn’t going my way right now,” Rogers said. “I’m doing a really good job of getting guys to two strikes early. The swing and miss is there. Just really can’t get over the hump of getting that third strike, and when it is contact, it’s just falling. Pretty frustrating, but I liked where my stuff was at today. It’s just frustrating on my end that I can’t really go deep into games right now and give my team a chance. But I just got to stay within my process, stay disciplined in what I need to do and it’ll turn around.

“You’ve just got to give credit to the hitters. It’s just gone their way. I wish I had a better answer for you, but it’s just gone their way. I know if I continue to do what I need to do and keep on the pitches in good spots, eventually it’s going to go my way. I pride myself on getting contact and getting guys to swing the bat. I’m doing that. It’s just falling and just some big innings right now. Just continue to do what I’m doing. There’s no need for me to fall down a rabbit hole and try to find something that isn’t there. It’s really just not going my way right now.”

Albert Suárez allowed four runs, but none of them earned, in four innings. The Red Sox had two hits against him, and he retired the last seven batters faced.

Suárez walked two batters in the fourth, Adley Rutschman committed a throwing error, and Contreras’ sacrifice fly plated a run and increased the lead to 4-0. Rutschman threw out Rafaela trying to steal.

The Red Sox loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, aided by Jeremiah Jackson’s fielding error and another walk, and three runs scored on Wong’s fly ball off the out-of-town scoreboard.

Left-hander Garrett Crochet dragged a 7.88 ERA into today’s game and retired the first seven Orioles after they pounded Boston pitching last night for 10 runs and 20 hits. Coby Mayo lined a 96.6 mph fastball down the left field line for a double at 112.8 mph off the bat.

Taylor Ward walked with two outs and the runners were stranded. Crochet retired 13 of the first 15 batters.

Ward’s infield single leading off the sixth inning was only the second hit. Rutschman also stayed hot with his single in the sixth, but Alonso grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.

Alonso went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and is batting .204 with a .661 OPS.

Ward had four singles and a walk last night and two singles and a walk today. He’s batting .321 with a .902 OPS.

Crochet threw 90 pitches and struck out seven batters in six scoreless innings while lowering his ERA to 6.30.

“He’s an awesome pitcher, man,” O’Neill said. “You know, Cy Young candidate. Really good fastball, good breaking stuff. It’s always a battle in there facing him, but he was hitting his spots today. A lot of paint, tough to do much with that.”

The Orioles greeted his replacement, Greg Weissert, with a run in the seventh.

The rally began with O’Neill’s single, Jackson’s infield hit and Durbin’s throwing error on the play. O’Neill scored on Leody Taveras’ groundout.

Nothing else went right for the team that could do no wrong last night.

“Any loss is tough,” Albernaz said. “I wouldn’t say it’s any more tougher. It’s a loss. And then, you move on, we play tomorrow. We have a chance to come out and win the series. We have K.B (Kyle Bradish) on the mound, so it gives us a chance to go out there and compete.

Notes: O’Neill made his first appearance in the lineup since going on the seven-day concussion injured list.

“It was on an off-day and I just had an episode where I collapsed, where I fainted,” he said. “I don’t remember hitting my head or anything that happened there, but I woke up on the ground and I was experiencing concussion-like symptoms after that, which is very peculiar, so I was just managing that for the last couple of weeks, unfortunately, but came out of it strong.”

The incident was scary, especially with O’Neill alone while his family is back home.

“Quite, for sure,” he said. “First time ever and hopefully never again, but it definitely caught me on my heels. You wouldn’t want it to happen again, for sure. Just another reminder to take care of yourself.”

*Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. was placed on the seven-day injured list with left hand discomfort after crashing into the wall.

The medical staff believes this will provide the necessary time to fully heal.

*Reliever Jose Espada was placed on Double-A Chesapeake’s temporary inactive list after the Orioles optioned him yesterday.