More on yesterday's loss and tonight's game

We need to get the math out of the way. There's really no avoiding it. We can't cut class and sneak into human physiology.

There will be time later to dissect the 2015 season.

The Orioles are down to their last 13 games. They trail the Astros by 5 1/2 for the second wild card. Three teams are ahead of them - the Angels, Twins and Indians.

"I have to be optimistic or what's the reason for me coming here and playing?" said center fielder Adam Jones following yesterday's crushing 7-6 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. "If I think we're done, I should pack up my whole locker and go home. Until that day happens, I always think I have a chance."

The Orioles carried a 6-4 lead into the eighth inning. They were clinging to a 6-5 lead in the ninth with closer Zach Britton on the mound. The Rays pushed across the winning run with two outs on Kevin Kiermaier's infield hit.

That isn't a right cross to the jaw. It's more like an atomic wedgie.

"It's tough, man," Jones said. "We had it right there. We took the lead, came back, took the lead, came back, they came back, took the lead again, they came back. It shows the fight in them. It shows the fight in both of us, the sense of urgency in both teams. They both needed the wins, and it shows that no one is giving up on the season.

"The Rays, they're in the same boat as us, they're playing to the last out. As a fan, that's good to see."

The Orioles finally are done with the Rays, which should be good for everyone. Nineteen games, including 13 at Tropicana Field. It's time to move on, and hey, why not squeeze in one more interleague series in late September?

I'm still taking the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to watch the Battle of the Beltways. I sure hope it doesn't hurt the hype surrounding this "rivalry."

Ubaldo Jimenez is seeking his 12th win tonight, his last loss coming on Aug. 29. He's 11-9 with a 4.31 ERA and 1.370 WHIP in 29 starts this season, and he's averaging 3.2 walks per nine innings.

Jimenez was 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.516 WHIP in 25 games (22 starts) last season, and he averaged 5.5 walks per nine innings.

Jimenez has two years and $26.5 million left on his contract, hardly an outrageous amount given today's prices. He may have three starts remaining this season, with the potential to be a 14-game winner.

Wins and losses are largely meaningless for a pitcher - one of the more deceiving stats in baseball - but 14 victories would be a nice reward after a disastrous 2014 season.

Check out Jimenez's stats against the Nationals and decide whether you like his chances tonight. He's 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA in seven career starts and 3-0 with a 1.16 ERA in three starts in D.C., with three runs and 17 hits in 23 1/3 innings. He's walked four and struck out 18.

Jayson Werth is 4-for-8 with a triple and home run against Jimenez. Yunel Escobar is 8-for-21 with a double and home run, Dan Uggla is 3-for-15 with two home runs and Ryan Zimmerman is 5-for-17 with two doubles. Bryce Harper has never faced Jimenez, who's 10-8 with a 3.87 ERA in 25 interleague games.

Harper is a career .208/.309/.354 hitter in 13 games versus the Orioles, with two doubles a triple and a home run in 55 plate appearances.

Nats left-hander Gio Gonzalez hasn't lost since Aug. 26. He's 11-7 with a 3.83 ERA in 28 starts and 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in three starts this month, with three runs and 26 strikeouts in 18 innings.

Gonzalez faced the Orioles on July 10 and allowed one run in six innings. He didn't get the decision in a 3-2 loss. Overall, he's 1-4 with a 3.51 ERA in eight career starts versus the Orioles.

Matt Wieters is 10-for-17 with a double and home run against Gonzalez, Manny Machado is 3-for-7 with a double, Steve Pearce is 4-for-12 with a home run, Chris Davis is 1-for-12 with five strikeouts, Junior Lake is 1-for-9, Nolan Reimold is 2-for-12 and J.J. Hardy is 3-for-15.

Jimenez must bat tonight without a designated hitter in the lineup. He's 32-for-279 (.115) in his career, with 10 RBIs, 17 walks and 96 strikeouts. He's 1-for-5 with an RBI this season.

Gonzalez is 6-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 12 starts at home and 5-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 16 starts on the road.

The Orioles are 9-8 against the National League, losing two of three to the Nats on July 10-12 at Camden Yards.