The Orioles lost 4-3 to the Rays on July 20, 2025, after a costly ninth-inning error. Despite a strong start from Trevor Rogers, a late mistake sealed the loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a gut-punch of a loss, the kind that stings just a little bit more. For eight innings, the Baltimore Orioles battled the Tampa Bay Rays in a tight contest, only to see it all unravel in the bottom of the ninth. A costly throwing error allowed the winning run to score, sealing a 4-3 defeat and extending the team's losing streak to a frustrating three games.
The Orioles, now 43-53 and 5th in the AL East, have lost three straight.
Sunday's game at George M. Steinbrenner Field felt winnable right up until the final moments. Starter Trevor Rogers, who entered the day with a sparkling 1.53 ERA, delivered another solid outing against a tough Rays lineup. The Orioles' bats did just enough to keep things close, trading blows with Tampa Bay's Ryan Pepiot. But baseball can be a cruel game. With the score tied in the ninth, a routine play turned into a disaster, as a throwing error from the infield sailed wide, allowing the Rays to walk it off and improve to 51-47. It's the kind of fundamental mistake that has plagued the O's during this recent slide.
While the loss stings, there's positive news brewing down in Sarasota. The cavalry might be on its way. The Orioles received encouraging updates on several key arms, providing a glimmer of hope. RHP Tyler Wells, recovering from major UCL surgery, threw live batting practice today, a massive step in his long recovery. Meanwhile, LHP Keegan Akin is set for a rehab outing in the Florida Complex League on July 21, with a potential move to Triple-A Norfolk right around the corner. Add in RHP Albert Suárez throwing a bullpen session on Saturday, and the pitching depth is starting to look a lot healthier.
The progress of Akin and Suárez couldn't come at a better time. Getting those two reliable arms back would be a significant boost for a bullpen that has been tested. Their return, combined with the recent signing of RHP Corbin Martin to a big-league deal on July 18, shows the front office is actively working to shore up the pitching staff for the second half. While catcher Chadwick Tromp was sent for a rehab assignment on the same day, the focus remains squarely on adding and recovering impactful arms for the stretch run.
Losing a game on a defensive miscue is a tough pill to swallow, especially when it marks a third straight loss. The Orioles are now 10 games under .500 and need to right the ship quickly. The good news is that help appears to be on the way. If the team can clean up the fundamentals on the field and get their key pitchers back to full strength, they have a chance to climb out of this hole. The next series will be a crucial test of this team's resilience.
