Orioles at Rays
The Baltimore Orioles are last in the American League East in runs scored, and consequently occupy the basement in the division. The Orioles managed three runs in the first two games of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays and will try to manufacture more offense and earn a series win when they visit for the rubber match and close out an 11-game road trip on Sunday.
Baltimore scored three or fewer runs in nine of its last 11 games, including a 2-0 win in Friday's series opener and a 5-1 setback on Saturday. The biggest culprit in the offensive drought is first baseman Chris Davis, who is making $23 million this season but is batting .159 with a .247 on-base percentage and 68 strikeouts in 47 games while going homerless in his last 14 contests. The Rays aren't an offensive juggernaut but are getting solid performances from an unconventional pitching staff that continues to use relievers as starting pitchers. Tampa Bay will send former closer Sergio Romo, who also started the series opener on Friday, to the mound for the first pitch on Sunday against Orioles righty Kevin Gausman.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.48 ERA) vs. Rays RH Sergio Romo (1-1, 4.66)
Gausman allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his 10 starts and is coming off one of his strongest performances after striking out a season-high 10 in 6 1/3 scoreless innings at the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The LSU product could not get any run support and did not factor in the decision in a game the Orioles went on to lose 3-2. Gausman's last win came over Tampa Bay on May 11, when he scattered two runs and 11 hits over 7 1/3 innings.
Romo had a string of six straight scoreless appearances come to an end on Friday, when he was reached for one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning and absorbed the loss. The 35-year-old started back-to-back games at the Los Angeles Angels last weekend and struck out six without allowing a hit in 2 1/3 scoreless frames. Romo's lone win on the season came in relief against Baltimore on May 12, when he worked 1 1/3 perfect frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles LHP Zach Britton (Achilles) threw a two-inning simulated game on Saturday and is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Wednesday.
2. Tampa Bay C Wilson Ramos is 6-for-12 over the last three games and hit safely in seven straight.
3. Orioles OF/DH Mark Trumbo (knee), who sat out his fourth straight game on Saturday, is expected to avoid the DL and could return on Monday.