Matt Wieters and Yovani Gallardo on the Orioles' loss to the Rays

There were two tough ninth innings for the Orioles tonight. One with missed chances in Baltimore and one where Boston scored five runs for a walk-off win at home against New York.

The late-inning drama and tough loss in Baltimore leave the Orioles two games behind Boston with 16 games to play for the American League East lead.

Catcher Matt Wieters was asked about O's starter Yovani Gallardo, who allowed two walks and Evan Longoria's three-run homer three batters into the game. He gave up six runs in 3 1/3 innings as the Orioles lost 7-6 to Tampa Bay to start an 11-game homestand.

"Just consistency," Wieters said of Gallardo's poor opening inning. "I think he made some good pitches, but there were times when he made some non-competitive pitches and got behind in counts. First two walks and Longoria in the first inning gets kind of a back-up cutter and does damage with it. He battled as much as he could, but just the consistency that I'm used to catching Yovani wasn't quite there tonight.

"You can look at a lot of reasons we didn't win that game. It's a team loss and we'll take it as that. At the same time, we can't dwell on it. Tomorrow, we might have the same situations and we have to have the confidence to go out there and hit the ball hard," Wieters said.

Gallardo gave up his second-most runs as an Oriole, behind only the eight he allowed in 1 1/3 innings Aug. 26 against the Yankees. His first inning ERA is now 9.00 and he has allowed seven homers in 21 opening innings.

"Just falling behind guys," Gallardo said. "That is the number one thing. Can't start the game walking the first two guys and then make a mistake to the three-hole hitter. That is never a good start. Every time you make a mistake to a hitter like that, he'll make you pay.

"First game back home, you obviously want to start off on a good note. You know, it wasn't easy today. Giving up those three runs in the first inning and the guys come back and score four. I've got to find a way. Find a way to put up zeroes and I wasn't able to do it," Gallardo said, as he falls to 5-8 with an ERA of 5.77.

"It's tough. I've been feeling good my past few starts, but just a little off today. I don't know what it was. Time off, whatever reason. There are no excuses. I have to do the job when my name is called. Five, six, seven days (rest), whatever the reason is."

Gallardo was pitching on eight days rest since his previous start on Sept. 6, also against Tampa Bay. Was the layoff an issue?

"I don't know. I am not here to make excuses. It was last Tuesday, over seven days. But I've got to find a way. I have to do everything I can. It's frustrating for sure. Been feeling really good going into this start and the command just wasn't there. For whatever reason it was, that can't happen," he said.

Gallardo has now allowed a first-inning homer in four straight starts.

"No, I'm not going to look too much at that," Wieters said. "I mean, the great thing about Yovani is even when he gets backed into some tough situations, he can work his way out of it. And the home run can kind of make that null and void. He is good with guys in scoring position in leaving them out there. You know it's one thing that keeping the ball in the ballpark is big for him because he can get out jams when he needs to."

The Orioles lost the first game of the series at Detroit and Boston, then won two straight. This series is a four-game set and they've dropped game one again.

"Yeah, it's a tough loss," Wieters said. We fought back and had a chance at the end. We left a lot of opportunities out there today, but to have a chance in the ninth inning is all you can ask for. Didn't come through today, hopefully tomorrow."