O's game blog: O's play doubleheader to wrap up trip

ST PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have lost their last three games by five runs total. This afternoon they play a doubleheader at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays to wrap up an eight-game trip.

The trip started with a 1-1 split at Washington and was followed by the O's going 1-2 at Kansas City. Then they lost the series opener against Tampa Bay 5-4 in 10 innings on Monday.

After Monday's game the Orioles are now:

* 23-46 on the road
* 10-70 when scoring four runs or less
* 11-2 when their starter goes seven or more innings
* 13-32 in series-opening games
* 10-16 in one-run games and 2-5 in extra innings
* 6-11 versus Tampa Bay and 20-45 in American League East games
* 36-10 when they outhit their opponent

On the mound in Game 1 today, lefty Ty Blach (0-2, 12.15 ERA) returns to the active roster and gets the start. Blach was acquired by the Orioles on Aug. 3 on a waiver claim from San Francisco and was then sent to the minors. He was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 12, optioned out Aug. 24 and returns today.

Blach's last O's game was Aug. 23 against Tampa Bay. Over four innings he allowed nine hits and seven runs on 86 pitches. In his last game for the Tides at Gwinnett on Aug. 28 he allowed 13 hits and eight runs over three innings. The 28-year-old was drafted in round five by the Giants in 2012.

Right-hander Trevor Richards (4-12, 4.29 ERA) gets the start for the Rays. He was acquired minutes before the July 31 trade deadline in a two-for-two deal between Miami and Tampa Bay. In three games with Tampa Bay, Richards is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA. Over 11 2/3 innings he has allowed 12 hits and four runs (three earned) with four walks and 15 strikeouts.

Richards was not drafted out of college and pitched two seasons in the independent Frontier League. The Marlins signed him in July of 2016. Richards throws his changeup 39 percent of the time and has gotten 65 of his 118 strikeouts this year on that pitch.

Right-hander Chandler Shepherd, who is joining the Orioles today, has been named the International League Player of the Month for August. He posted an ERA of 1.62 and had a WHIP of 0.90 during the month.

Note: This will be the only game blog for both games today. There should be about 30 minutes between games so stay in this blog to make comments for both games today.