Sam Basallo's HR wasn't enough as the Orioles' bullpen collapsed in a 6-3 loss to the Rays on June 27. Read how Baltimore's lead slipped away at home.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic case of 'what could have been' at Camden Yards on Friday night. For a brief, glorious moment, it felt like the Orioles had the game locked up, thanks to a monster home run from a budding star. But in a story that's become all too familiar this season, the lead evaporated, and the Birds ultimately fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-3, dropping them to 34-46 on the year.
Sam Basallo continues to impress in his rookie campaign, now with 8 home runs and 27 RBIs on the season.
The absolute highlight of the night, without question, was Sam Basallo's three-run blast. With the O's trailing, the rookie catcher stepped up and demolished a pitch, sending it soaring and giving Baltimore a temporary 6-2 lead. It was a jolt of pure energy for the team and the fans, a powerful reminder of the incredible talent this young core possesses. Basallo, along with Jackson Holliday, provided most of the offense, but his shot was the moment that made you believe a win was in reach.
Starter Tomoyuki Sugano battled through 5.2 innings, but he wasn't at his sharpest, allowing four runs to keep the Rays within striking distance. The real trouble began after he departed. The bullpen, a clear area of concern, couldn't slam the door. This led to the Orioles making a move earlier in the day, recalling right-hander Kade Strowd from Triple-A to provide a fresh arm. Strowd, wearing #57, was thrown right into the fire, making his season debut in a tough situation. Unfortunately, the collective effort wasn't enough to stop the Rays' late-game rally.
In the end, this loss stings because it felt winnable. The power is there, as Basallo proved. But one big swing wasn't enough to cover for a struggling bullpen and an offense that went quiet late in the game. It's the challenge of a developing team: finding the consistency to win these tight contests against tough divisional opponents.
The loss is a tough pill to swallow, but the series is far from over. The Orioles will be back at it tomorrow, looking to even things up against the Rays. The focus will once again be on the young guns like Basallo and Holliday to provide a spark, and a desperate need for the bullpen to find its footing and protect any lead the offense can build. Let's hope they can bounce back and give the Camden Yards faithful something to cheer about.
