Miguel Gonzalez and Nick Hundley comment after O's lose to Tampa Bay

Miguel Gonzalez was disappointed with his outing today - and he could say the same for his three starts since coming off the disabled list.

The right-hander gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings today, has an ERA of 6.13 and has given up 25 hits in 14 2/3 innings in those last three starts.

"Command," Gonzalez said. "Just flying open and I have to keep working on that and staying back. That has been my biggest issue this year. Other than that, I felt good.

"Just have to stay mentally strong. Keep working and you know, flush it. Come back next time and try to do your best. Other than that, I've been feeling good, I have no issues."

Has Gonzalez been out of synch since coming off the DL? He's given up five homers in the three starts and a .385 batting average against.

"It's a little frustrating," he said. "It's frustrating to come back and not being able to have that success. But it's a grind. This is the first half. We have to keep working and finish strong. I've got two more games before the break.

"I was feeling really good over the last four starts before I got on the DL. Just have to keep grinding and keep doing what you know how to do. Not try to do too much."

He was upset he left the bullpen to cover so many innings today.

"That was a tough one to swallow. They've been doing a good job and I just feel like I let them down. They grind it out, our hitters as well. They did what they had to do to win a ballgame, but we were a little short," Gonzalez said.

Orioles catcher Nick Hundley talked about the bullpen struggles as Brian Matusz and Evan Meek combined to give up nine runs in 3 1/3 innings.

"Balls up in the zone, but that is an aberration for our bullpen. Our bullpen has been so solid since I've been over here. They've been throwing the ball great. You go out there tomorrow and we feel confident with those guys in the game. We'll try to shut them down in the same situation tomorrow," Hundley said.

"You are not going to give up 12 runs a game. Our pitching staff has been throwing the ball great. In a 162-game season, some games will get away from you. This one did a little bit. It's my job behind the plate to slow it down and not let it get out of control like that. I couldn't do it. So I'll look internally and next time out there try to not let it snowball like that."

The Orioles ended a disappointing series, losing three of four to the last-place Rays.

"It doesn't matter who you are playing. It is always disappointing to lose a series at home. To the best or worst team in the league. Your goal is to win the series in the division," Hundley said.

Tampa Bay's 11 extra-base hits today are the most by an O's opponent since Detroit on Sept. 15, 2006. This is the seventh time in club history the O's have allowed 11 or more extra-base hits. The club record is 12, allowed twice, most recently on Sept. 14, 1987 by Toronto.

The O's bullpen gave up a season-worst nine earned runs today. That is the most given up since 12 on July 16, 2012 at Minnesota.

The Rays' 12 runs is the most the O's have given up this year and most since Boston scored 12 on Sept. 27, 2013.