Rays shut down by Kevin Gausman, drop opener of doubleheader to Orioles
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Beyond shuffling the lineup and pitching staff of his injury-depleted team, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash has one overriding task in dealing with the Rays' lengthy losing streak.
Most of all, Cash must keep the players from losing their spirit.
After the Rays' skid reached nine games with a 5-0 loss to Baltimore in the opener of a doubleheader Saturday, Cash sat in his office and tried to make sense of it all.
"We're going to have to make some adjustments. The pitching doesn't get any easier. This league doesn't get any easier," Cash said. "We just have to find some breaks and find a way to stay positive. It's frustrating."
Tampa Bay mustered only four hits against Kevin Gausman (1-5) and reliever Oliver Drake. While Gausman finally got the win he coveted -- his first in 13 starts this season -- the Rays' wait for a much-needed victory continued.
Very little has gone right for last-place Tampa during its longest skid since 2014. The Rays have given up at least five runs in each of the nine games, are batting well below .200 and have been outscored 52-18.
"It's rough," longtime Tampa Bay standout Evan Longoria said. "There's no more eloquent way I can put it."
The Rays have seven players on the disabled list, but Longoria insisted the skid has nothing to do with injuries or lack of effort.
"We don't have a bad group of guys. This is a positive group of guys that believes we can win," Longoria said. "It's just not showing up on the scoreboard right now."
Matt Andriese (6-1) gave up two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay. The right-hander was unbeaten in 10 starts since last June 22.
Rays reliever Enny Romero was helped off the mound after a line drive headed toward his head struck him on the palm of his left hand.
"It's inflammation in my hand," Romero said. "I just saw the ball coming to my face. I told Cash I can pitch tomorrow."
After stranding runners at second and third in the first inning, Baltimore used RBI singles by J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones to go up 2-0 in the second.
Francisco Pena singled in a run off Tyler Sturdivant in the sixth, and Pedro Alvarez made it 5-0 with a two-run single in the seventh.
Gausman (1-5) was lifted after giving up a pair of singles in the eighth. The right-hander went 7 2/3 innings, striking out seven with no walks.
"Every time you take the mound you expect to win," Gausman said. "That's what I've done 13 times now."
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop had two hits, scored twice and backed up Gausman with two outstanding defensive plays, including one in which he snagged a grounder in short center field and threw out the runner at first.
EXTRA MAN
Rays: RHP Danny Farquhar was recalled from Triple-A Durham as the 26th player for the doubleheader. "It's kind of a different situation being the guy who is only going to be here for the day," Farquhar said. "So, hopefully, I can get in there."
Orioles: Reliever T.J. McFarland was Baltimore's 26th player. He was 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in 13 games before being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on June 18.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: OF Brandon Guyer (left hamstring strain) was slated to begin his rehab assignment as DH for Class A Charlotte.
Orioles: RHP Vance Worley (groin strain) was scheduled to pitch for Double-A Bowie in his first rehab appearance since going on the DL on June 14.
UP NEXT
Rays RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.63 ERA) was to face Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (10-1, 3.11) in the second game of the doubleheader.
