Orioles-Rays still tied in the 16th (O's lose 5-4 in 18 innings)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - T.J. McFarland began to warm in the Orioles' bullpen in the bottom of the first inning tonight after the first three batters reached against starter Jason Hammel. McFarland entered the game in the 14th and has tossed two scoreless innings. It's that kind of a night/morning. This is the 24th time in Orioles history that they've played 16 or more innings. The Rays just announced that it's the longest game by time in franchise history, topping the record of 5 hours, 44 minutes on July 17, 2011 against the Red Sox. The longest game in Orioles history was 6 hours 15 minutes on July 2, 2004 in Philadelphia. Yes, I was there. But at least I didn't wake up at 4:15 a.m. that morning to catch a flight out of Boston. I was fresher. McFarland escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 15th tonight by retiring Tim Beckham on a sharp grounder to Brian Roberts, whose poor throw and bobbled grounder prevented the Orioles from turning two double plays in the inning. Bud Norris is now warming in the Orioles' bullpen. He would be the 21st pitcher used tonight - 10 by the Orioles. Jeremy Hellickson just entered for the Rays with two outs in the 16th. He was scheduled to start on Sunday. Jim Johnson was warmed a few times and sat back down. "I'm just loosening my arm." Orioles relievers have allowed one run - by Kevin Gausman - in 15 innings. Will the Orioles need to summon a pitcher or two from Sarasota? Maybe Zach Britton and Tsuyoshi Wada could carpool. When this game started, Manny Machado's only experience with a shift came during his driving test. Instant update: Norris will work the bottom of the 16th, his third career relief appearance. He took the loss in Arizona on Aug. 14. Update II: Norris stranded a runner, and we move to the 17th. This is the 12th time that the Orioles have played at least 17 innings. The combined 21 pitchers in this game is a major league record. Twenty pitchers were used twice, most recently on Aug. 24, 2012 by the Phillies and Diamondbacks. Update III: Two scoreless innings for Bud Norris, and we head to the 18th. This is the sixth time in franchise history that the Orioles have played 18 or more innings. The record is 19 on June 4, 1967. The Orioles still only have one hit since the seventh inning. The Orioles would like to thank FOX for moving Saturday's game to 1:05 p.m. Update IV: David DeJesus singled off Norris with one out in the 18th inning to score Desmond Jennings and give the Rays a 5-4 victory over the Orioles. DeJesus was scratched from the lineup with a stiff neck. He became a pain in the neck to the Orioles. Yunel Escobar walked and DeJesus lined a single into right-center field, ending a game that lasted 6 hours, 54 minutes.