O's lose lead and game vs. Tampa

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 13, 2010, 6:38pm

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The Orioles have lost twice this year when leading after eight innings. Tonight they led 3-0 after seven and lost 8-6 to Tampa in ten innings to fall to 1-7 with five losses in a row. They have lost four games this year when leading after seven innings. Last year the Orioles went 52-5 when leading after seven. Brian Matusz was dominant with a two-hitter and 3-0 lead after seven. But Tampa took the lead with a five-run 8th only to see Luke Scott's pinch, two-run homer in the last of the frame tie the game. Carlos Pena's three-run homer off Matt Albers in the 10th broke the 5-5 tie. Albers entered the 10th and walked Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria ahead of Pena's second homer of the season. Ty Wigginton hit two homers tonight, including one in the last of the 10th for the final margin. It was his 10th career two-homer game. Three O's bullpen pitchers struggled tonight. Jim Johnson could not protect a two-run lead. Wlll Ohman could not hold the game tied and Albers gave up the game-winning Tampa homer. The dark cloud over this team has not lifted. It's just gotten darker and more menacing. The Orioles bullpen now appears in complete disarray.