masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe O’s began their nine-game road trip with a one-run loss at Tampa. The Birds are now 12-16 in one-run games and have lost seven of their last eight one-run decisions.

Matt with a longball – Matt Wieters two-run homer in the 8th was his 4th of the season. He has hit two solo shots and a pair of two-run homers. It was his first homer since July 5th, Wieters had gone 28 games without a longball.

Gary and Buck talk with Dave Trembley after the O’s 5-4 loss to the Rays

Nick Markakis…The O’s began their nine-game road trip with a one-run loss at Tampa. The Birds are now 12-16 in one-run games and have lost seven of their last eight one-run decisions.

Matt with a longball – Matt Wieters two-run homer in the 8th was his 4th of the season. He has hit two solo shots and a pair of two-run homers. It was his first homer since July 5th, Wieters had gone 28 games without a longball.

Gary and Buck talk with Dave Trembley after the O’s 5-4 loss to the Rays

Nick Markakis continued his hot hitting on Tuesday night, going 3 for 4 with three singles. Markakis is hitting .408 (20 for 49) during an 11-game hitting streak with two homers, 8 RBI and six doubles during the streak. Markakis is batting .359-7-27 since the All-Star break.

He has now reached base safely in 38 consecutive games, that’s the longest streak currently in the Majors.

The O’s had 12 hits in the game, but left 13 runners on base and were just 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position.

Nolan Reimold was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI. It’s his first multi-hit game since July 28th. Reimold is now 6 for 20 during a five-game batting streak but has homered just once over his last 39 games.

The longball hurt – O’s pitching allowed three homers tonight and has given up nine homers over the last three games. O’s pitchers have given up at least one homer in 18 of the last 21 games, giving up 34 total longballs in that stretch.

The Orioles have lost four in a row, eight of ten, 14 of 18 and 21 of the last 28 games.

The East is a Beast – The Birds are 15-30 on the year vs. the AL East and 8-23 since the All-Star break. The O’s are 3-19 on the year in AL East road games and have won just two of their last 19 road series vs. a division opponent.

Brian Roberts was 1 for 3 with two walks, extending his batting streak to eight games. He is 14 for 38 (.368) during the streak with seven doubles and 5 RBI.

Tampa has won three in a row over a five-game losing streak. The Rays are now 39-19 at home, 26-17 vs. the AL East and 41-26 since May 29th.