BALTIMORE—For a few weeks, Matt Harvey was a comeback story for the Orioles. He won three straight games, but since then, things have gone downhill.
On Tuesday night, he allowed six runs — on two three-run homers in the second — and seven hits in just 1 2/3 innings as the Orioles lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 13-6, before 5,429 at Oriole Park.
Harvey (3-4) gave up seven runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings in his emotional homecoming against the New York Mets on May 12th. After a hitless first on Tuesday, he imploded.
Wandy Diaz and Joey Wendle began the inning with singles. After Mike Zunino struck out, Brett Phillips hit the first three-run home run, his second.
Willy Adames doubled, Randy Arozarena dribbled a single down the third base line, and Austin Meadows hit the second three-run home run, his eighth, for a 6-0 Tampa Bay lead.
“When he’s pitching well, he’s missing bats,” manager Brandon Hyde said of Harvey. “He just wasn’t real sharp.”
After Ji-Man Choi fouled out to third, Harvey allowed a single to Brandon Lowe and his short night was over. It was the second shortest start of his career.
“I didn’t really feel comfortable from the beginning,” Harvey said. “Kind of got into some old habits mechanically, gave up some soft hits, and obviously with runners on, I gave up some hard ones. That cost us the game.
“I’ve got some work to do mechanically and go back to square one and figure it out so that it doesn’t happen again.”
Harvey’s ERA, which was 3.60 two starts ago, is up to 5.93.
“I don’t think there are any positives from the last two or three outings,” Harvey said. “Going four or less innings as a starter is completely unacceptable. Giving up as many runs as I’ve given up the last three games is extremely unacceptable.”
Tyler Wells took over and gave up a leadoff triple to Wendle in the third followed by a home run by Zunino, his ninth. The Rays (24-20) were ahead, 8-0.
The Orioles (17-24) had their first look at 21-year-old Luis Patiño, and the right-hander gave up a run in the third on Stevie Wilkerson’s double, a single to Cedric Mullins, which extended his hitting streak to 11 games, and an RBI single to Austin Hays.
Patiño didn’t make it out of the fourth. He walked leadoff batter Freddy Galvis and, with one out, Chance Sisco singled. In his first game with the Orioles since September 28, 2019, Wilkerson scored Galvis with an RBI single. After Patiño threw a wild pitch, he hit Mullins, and Andrew Kittredge (4-0) replaced him.
Hays hit into a forceout with Sisco scoring, and Mancini’s run-scoring single brought in Wilkerson to cut Tampa Bay’s lead to 8-4.
After Mancini’s hit, the Orioles went hitless until DJ Stewart’s RBI single in the ninth.
The Orioles have lost eight of their last 10.
“It’s frustrating,” Mancini said. “A lot of times we’re not synced up offensively or when the pitcher is having a tough night. A lot of times, they’re on, and we don’t do our part. I think it’s just been unfortunate, trying to sync that up.
“I know we can right the ship. There are going to be times like this throughout the season … I know we can turn it around.”
Diaz singled to start the fifth against Travis Lakins and, with one out, Zunino hit another two-run home run, his 10th, and the Orioles trailed, 10-4.
Lowe’s RBI single in the sixth, and Choi’s two-run homer in the eighth completed the scoring for Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay’s five home runs accounted for 12 of their 13 RBIs.
Mancini’s tennis background: Mancini’s first sport as a youngster was tennis, and hitting coach Don Long gave him a copy of “The Inner Game of Tennis” to help with his hitting. In 15 games this month, Mancini has 16 RBIs.
“I’m really trying to work on the mental side of the game, and it’s an everlasting process,” he said. “I’ve been reading that, and really been working hard in trying to put that into practice whenever you’re out there.
“You can always make improvements, and I think more than anything in baseball, you have to master the mental side because it can be a rollercoaster if not.
“I think if you do that, the results wind up where you want them to be.”
Notes: Richie Martin, who was playing center field in Norfolk’s home opener, injured his left wrist when he crashed into the center-field wall. He left the game and will have follow-up testing in the next 24 hours. … John Means (4-0, 1.27 ERA) will start against Ryan Yarbrough (2-3, 4.20) on Wednesday night.
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5 home runs given up by the Birds, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Richie Martin hurt…Hmmm sounds familiar.
Someone stop Rio before he leaves. Matt needs a ride...
Funny!
Nice to see Wilkerson and Stewart with two hits a piece. Wells striking six in 2.1 innings was impressive too, hope he can limit the homers moving forward-he’s let up 6 in 19 innings so far i believe.
Hoping Means stays sharp tonight and Orioles get a win...
I guess it's time to drag out some of my negative rhetoric. Sorry but here goes. Since Means' no-hitter the pitching staff has really tanked,both starters and relievers except for one start---yup John Means. Starters now rank 28th in starting pitching(28th out of 30). The Norfolk shuffle,that will soon be firing up, is worrisome because the Tides are just as bad as the O's(all the abundance of talent lies at AA and below). SS Richie Martin runs into the wall playing-wait for this--CF. Jamai Jones the other member of the near future DP combo(with Martin) is on the IL. Just like that the future IF is up in smoke. Santander concluded his rehab Sunday,reports to the O's Friday. What he's doing in the mean time--God only knows. I guess my putrid moral is---unless they redirect the "shuffle" to Bowie,Delmarva,Aberdeen(highly unlikely) the balance of the season could be rough. Watching names like Mountcastle(worrisome),Hays,Zimmerman,Stewart,Kremer,Akin---all young will keep me watching(Mullins has arrived). Side note/message to Elias,Hyde:please get Austin Wynns up here and break up that Severino/Sisco tandem. Give the pitchers something else to work with. Sorry but I needed thus.
I hate the negatvity some commentors insist on sharing.
Sorry. Not negative enough. This franchise may be the biggest joke in all major league sports.
I was joking OsC
Not a good day for the organization. Wheels are coming off the Os right now. I can feel another high draft pick coming! Which isn’t necessarily the worst thing, like another DL Hall or Grayson Rodriguez in the pipeline.
Strategy...LOL...go O’s...
I think there's be a name change. What d'ya think?
"been a name change" .... dang I stink lately
I hope Harvey can rebound because I really appreciate his candid no nonsense talk. It’s refreshing when compared to what we usually get. As bad as some of his outings have been he never gives excuses.
The race for last (or should I rephrase it to “First.”... as in pick in the draft) is on in earnest! Also... the possibility for a new record in losses at home is certainly within reach. Just saying...
On a positive note, Tommy Hunter notched his first big league hit last night for the Mets.
Would you “pundits” rather be the Twins?
Only 3 losses separate us from the Twins.
I’ve trusted that there is a process in place, that things will by design get better, that finally there is a plan. This is a sentiment not shared by (possibly)
There has always been a plan. The prior plan was to try and win baseball games.
Drink Pepsi
.....a majority here on this forum.
This rudderless ship is turning around, just not quick enough for the impatient and the octogenarians.
I like our guys
So how many of your guys do you think will be on the ship when it finally gets turned around? 'Cause I think if you really liked them, then the ship would have already turned a few degrees anyway. And it seems to me they're still heading due south.
I'm going to guess that your signoff is simply a jab at Buck, 'cause if it isn't, you got lousy taste in "guys". No offense intended of course.
Probably 4 of the existing outfield and none of the infielders. Maybe one of the catchers as backup and maybe 2-3 that are starting now. By the way, if Buck is so good why is he in the MLB studio
Easy Boog! I loved Buck, man. I’m an O’s fan and have strong memories of 33rd street as a kid.
Heck I have signatures of Rich Dauer, Kiko Garcia, Dempsey, Singleton, Murray and Bumbry etc. I know those aren’t the autographs of the “really good” teams of yesteryear, but those were the players I was exposed to as a kid.
Not sure why my little silly tag line seems to annoy you so much. So, for explanation, 105.7 The Fan used to play a snippet of Buck saying “I like our guys” repeatedly and the hosts would snicker about it. I liked Bucks croaky south western accent and thought it was funny as they played it, often out of context to accentuate the humor.
I DO like our guys, and am expectant; hopeful for the coming change.
I’m choosing not to bash Elias and Hyde and ownership repeatedly. Call me Pollyanna; I dont care. I’m glad someone cares to give the team a chance to get (hopefully) good again. I’m trying to live in the 21st century and get the fires lit again in Bawlamer, HON!
I am stunned at the octogenarians. Did they forget that Brooks was sent down 3, maybe 4, times? That Grich and Baylor had to spend a second season at Rochester after hitting well over .300 the previous season? That they sent a bunch of proven, but mediocre, veterans to the Yankees for unproven prospects named Dempsey, Tippy and McGregor among others? Take a breath, guys.
Perhaps that's because the likes of Grich & Baylor weren't replacing total bums.
I also remember a starting staff of baby birds
What is Richie Martin doing playing CF. Just embarrassing. As for Harvey he’s said a few times his mechanics were off and he didn’t feel comfortable. This is unacceptable. What it tells me is that you shouldn’t be out there. Sisco is getting a hit per game in the last few he’s played of course he won’t be out there tonight to boost his confidence
He won’t be out there tonight, Bruce because the Orioles are facing a left-hander, and he’s 7-for-57 (.123) against them in his career.
But Rich ....that's .123 with a bullett!! :)
Sisco has had one hit in his last two games, in both games right handed pitchers started. Before those two games, he had 1 hit in his previous three starts. Few is generally defined as at least three. Tonight Tampa Bay is starting a left hand pitcher. Sisco is batting 0.123 vs. left handers over his career.
Versatility in defensive positions is generally thought of as a good idea, players get injured at their regular defensive positions too. Any thoughts on how to get Harvey back on track, or just going to say what the Orioles are doing with Harvey is unacceptable?
Easy to be the harsh critic with claims of embarrassing and unacceptable, how but offering up some ideas to solve problems? Everybody's hindsight is 20/20...
Rich I also remember him hitting a bomb against a LH two years ago before he lost his power. Look he’s not the future anymore obviously but I do think he has been ruined by the sporadic play of Hyde.
Diversity solid stating players catchers included play everyday with catchers getting the day off after night next day games. Mediocre players alternate. Your comment is ridiculous alternating them to save injuries
Please stop the hyperbole. Some of us are only septuagenarians. And complete your metaphors. To whom do you compare Brooks Robinson? He arrived definitively at the age of 23. Are you thinking Ruiz or Urias? And Grich and Baylor? Don't forget, the ML club was a championship one while they were in the minors. And the Yankee trade you mention was not part of A Plan but a piece of great luck. In the trade, the O's were able to send Elrod Hendricks, Ken Holtzman, Grant Jackson, --you call them mediocre veterans-- and others to the Yankees. Whom would you trade from today's team as equal value? And only McGregor was a real prospect, playing his first ML season with Baltimore at the age of 23. Dempsey and Martinez were both 26 coming to the O's; Dempsey had spent parts of 8 seasons in the big leagues, and Martinez parts of 3 seasons. Also, a little painful to mention, but Grich and Baylor really reached their peaks after being traded to implement a new plan.
I’m just a callow quinquagenarian, and beg forgiveness from the keepers of the forum for any incomplete hyperbolic metaphors.
How about we all just stick to baseball and stop insulting one another?
I'm all in on that. Let's keep the insults directed towards the players, coaches, management and especially ownership!
I apologize to anyone I called a sexagenarian. Seriously, I appreciate the spirit and content of your comment, cedar. You're right: this should be about the Orioles and not about us. But a little winning would go a long way to helping that.
:)...go O’s...
A lot of O’s fans have said the O’s should try to emulate the Rays, and I get that because both clubs are among the lowest payrolls in all MLB. I said before the season began the club I wanted to see them emulate was the White Sox. As recently as 2018, while the O’s were losing 115 games, the Chisox lost 100, after losing 95 in 2017. In 2019 they improved to 72-89 then turned it around to 35-25 in 2020. They made trades, signed solid FAs and grew their home grown talent to where they now are tied for the best record in MLB. A rebuild, with ownership all in on it, doesn’t have to be an excruciatingly long time. We, myself included, peace blame on Hyde (although I’ve been one of his few defenders) for his decisions, and Elias for his seemingly single focus on minors rather than current club while also criticizing ownership. I believe Hyde and Elias deserve maybe 10% of the criticism for where the club is now and ownership deserves the rest. Pony up or sell the club.
I agree with most of that. Except for the fact that Elias and ownership told us that he had carte blanche to run the club as he saw fit. I'm going to lay this at his feet every bit as much as the Angelos clan. This is his blueprint.
But yeah I agree 100% with your 'pony up or sell' dictum.
BRR, you are not wrong, I do remember that in fact Elias was told that. However, I simply think they pulled a bait and switch on him. I’d love someone to remind Elias of that and ask him if that still holds true.
Criticizing ownership at this point seems somewhat cold. PA has serious dementia or Alzheimer's. The sons can't sell for any number of reasons. Rich or poor, it is sad for a child to see a parent this way - knowing that there is no quality of life any longer, knowing that death would be a better place... been there, done that... not easy.
DL ... I think that Elias knew exactly what was going to happen from jump. I wouldn't doubt that he is the architect of this whole rebuild thing and sold it to the Angelos family before he was even hired. The new scouting staff and techniques, the DR complex and emphasis on the Latin American players, the analytics. All very fresh and progressive. Frankly, I'm impressed with that side of Mr. Elias. He has talent. If he was bait and switched, I'm not so sure he'd be toeing the company line as he is. All of this is simply speculation of course.
All that being said ... I hate the tanking and disdain for the big club. I truly believe you can win without bottoming out for draft position.
Phil, do t want to sound callous, I’ve dealt with it & currently am as well, still gotta do my job, so do the Angelos, if they can’t/won’t quite simply they need to move on, life is good, not easy...go O’s...
Call up Ron Hansen , Jerry Adair and Jackie Brandt.
How did resting Means go? The bullpen pitched21 innings previous 3 games and was toast and showed it.Means was not any stronger by any means
I’d like to add to that if I may. Since all MLB is SO worried about pitchers and the number of pitches they throw my question is, when is it ok to let them push themselves, only during a no hitter? Kluber only threw 101 pitches tonite, the guy for Tigers threw 117, I think if I remember right Means was about 113 or so. So, if I’m correct, they’re very capable of going over 100. Means was at 93 tonite when he was taken out. I’d have let him go at least another batter or two. I know hindsight is 20/20 but the bullpen is showing signs of cracking and Means is clearly our best pitcher. Let him get out of that inning and bring someone in clean to begin the 8th.
Agree, the extra rest really helped him, maybe helped him to stay in Baltimore, they are really struggling to manage any aspect of the game, Plutko looked awesome again, maybe they should’ve brought in Armstrong...lol...go O’s...
It's May and bullpen is burned out
You start screwing around with a good pitchers routine and rotation timeline. Nothing good happens
TOTALLY agree, right now he has no idea what is next on his schedule...go O’s...