O's game blog: The Tampa Bay series begins

After winning their first series since late July, the Orioles start another one tonight. They host the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series at Oriole Park.

The O's beat Kansas City 8-1 last night to take the final two games of that series. The Orioles had been 0-4-2 in their past six series since they won three of four games July 25-28 at Anaheim. They also now have back-to-back wins for the first time since Aug. 3-4.

The Orioles hit four home runs last night. Jonathan Villar hit No. 17, Anthony Santander No. 12, Renato Núñez No. 28 and Hanser Alberto No. 9. It was the fifth time this season the Orioles hit four or more in a game. Their season high is five on June 4 against Texas.

The Orioles (41-86) posted win No. 41 last night. Last year they picked up No. 41 on Sept. 4 in Game 129.

The Orioles allowed one homer last night, and that was No. 258, which tied the 2016 Cincinnati Reds for the major league record for most allowed in one season. The next homer Orioles pitching surrenders will make the O's the record-holder.

Baltimore pitchers allowed just two runs and 13 hits in the last two games against Kansas City. Starting pitchers Dylan Bundy and Aaron Brooks gave up two runs over 12 innings. The O's bullpen threw six scoreless on one hit in the two games, with no walks and eight strikeouts.

Tampa Bay (74-54) won last night and is 3-4 over their last seven games, following a five-game win streak. The Rays are 12-6 in August, 15-6 their last 21 games and 22-15 since the All-Star Game.

The Orioles are 4-8 this year against the Rays, allowing 21 homers in those games. They are 2-4 at home versus the Rays and have lost five of the last seven between the teams. The Orioles are 4-12 against Tampa Bay since Aug. 9, 2018 and have been outscored 112-52 in those games.

Against the American League East this year, the Orioles are 18-42, including a home record of 8-24 within the division.