The Orioles' skid hits three in a 7-1 loss to the Rays on July 18, 2025. Despite a multi-hit game from Ryan O'Hearn, pitching woes sink Baltimore again.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night, another frustrating result for the Baltimore Orioles. The Birds dropped their third consecutive game on Friday, a lopsided 7-1 affair against the Tampa Bay Rays, sinking their record to a season-low ten games under .500 at 43-53. What was once a season of promise is quickly becoming a summer of discontent, with familiar problems plaguing the club.
The Orioles' team ERA now stands at a bloated 4.86, ranking a dismal 27th in Major League Baseball.
The box score tells a familiar story. The Orioles' offense was held in check all night at George M. Steinbrenner Field, managing just a single run thanks to an RBI from Cedric Mullins. Ryan O'Hearn provided one of the few bright spots, going 2-for-4 to nudge his average to .286, but it was nowhere near enough. The pitching staff couldn't contain the Rays, who plated seven runs, punctuated by Junior Caminero's 23rd home run of the season. The loss was a total team effort in the worst way, extending a losing streak that has completely erased the momentum from earlier in the month.
Friday's loss was a microcosm of the Orioles' biggest issue: pitching. The team's collective 4.86 ERA is near the bottom of the league, and games like this show why. The front office is clearly aware of the deficiency, making a minor move earlier in the week by claiming right-hander Elvin Rodriguez off waivers from the Brewers. The 27-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, where he'll serve as organizational depth. While it's not the blockbuster trade fans might be hoping for, it's an acknowledgment that the current pitching staff isn't getting the job done and reinforcements are needed, wherever they can be found.
Unfortunately for a team desperate for a spark, help doesn't appear to be coming from within anytime soon. The farm system, while still talented, saw no new promotions to shake up the big-league roster. Compounding the issue is the continued absence of Jorge Mateo. The speedy utility man remains on the 60-day IL after a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain and isn't projected to return until September. His defensive versatility and speed on the basepaths are sorely missed, leaving the club with one less weapon to deploy during this difficult stretch.
The Orioles will look to salvage the series against the Rays and, more importantly, stop the bleeding this weekend. With the trade deadline approaching and the team's weaknesses glaringly obvious, the pressure is mounting on the front office to make a move. For now, though, it's up to the players in the clubhouse to find a way to snap this skid and prove that the 2025 season isn't already a lost cause.
