A few notes as O's try to regroup after 18-inning loss

Those of you who watched that entire game last night and awoke this morning were probably not any less frustrated about the O's lack of offense in the 5-4, 18-loss to Tampa Bay. In going 2-for-35 after the seventh inning, the offense came up short again at a time when the O's bullpen was picking up big out after big out. In what was the equivalent of two full games, the Orioles scored just four runs on 12 hits. It was a huge swing game, one where the O's went from being one game out of the playoffs with a win to 2 1/2 back with the loss. Somehow they have to try and put that behind them and win today. What choice do they have with nine games to go? Notes on Game 2 of the series: * The Orioles' bullpen had not given up a single run on this road trip until allowing two over 12 1/3 last night. The O's bullpen ERA is 0.57 in the seven games of this trip. Over 31 1/3 innings, they've given up 21 hits and just two runs, with nine walks and 33 strikeouts. * The Orioles' pitching staff has posted a 3.06 ERA in 19 games this month, third-lowest in the American League. They have held their opponents to a .222 batting average in September, tied with the Red Sox for lowest in the AL. The Baltimore bullpen has posted a league-best 1.63 ERA this month. * The streak with the O's scoring five or fewer runs has reached 17 games, with the O's scoring four or fewer 13 times. The O's have scored 19 runs in the last six games. * With that win, Tampa Bay clinched the season series, and now lead 10 wins to six. The O's have lost eight of their last 10 against the Rays. In 2011, the clubs tied 9-9, and last season the Orioles went 10-8 vs. the Rays. * Today's O's starter, Miguel Gonzalez, is 2-0 with an 0.92 ERA in three career starts at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay starter, Alex Cobb, has not lost at home this season, going 6-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 home starts.