Orioles recall Baumann and option Baker

The Orioles and Rays are tied atop the American League East. The one win that the Orioles need to clinch the tiebreaker remains on hold, but their magic number to secure a playoff spot is three after the Rangers lost last night.

It’s complicated.

What’s apparent is a four-game losing streak that’s tied for the longest this season.

The Orioles also lost four in a row June 27-July 1 and won nine of their next 11, including a season-best eight-game winning streak.

Orioles batters are 6-for-59 in this series. They’ve scored six runs in the last four games.

Reliever Bryan Baker was optioned after last night’s game, and the Orioles recalled Mike Baumann. More bullpen moves after the club optioned Cole Irvin and Nick Vespi this week.

Pitchers must stay down for 15 days unless replacing an injured player.

Harold Ramírez hit a three-run homer last night on Baker’s first pitch after the right-hander replaced DL Hall. Baker covered three innings and was charged with one run.

The Orioles need a fresh arm and it’s Baumann’s turn. He hasn’t surrendered a run in his six appearances with Norfolk after the Orioles optioned him Aug. 23, with one hit, five walks and nine strikeouts in six innings.

Rookie Grayson Rodriguez is making his third start against the Rays. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on May 9 in Baltimore and two runs and three hits with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings on July 22 in St. Petersburg. Taylor Walls homered against him.

The Orioles are familiar with Tyler Glasnow. They’ve crossed paths eight times, with Glasnow going 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 0.957 WHIP. He’s struck out 64 batters and walked only eight in 46 innings.

Glasnow allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings on June 20, and two earned runs (three total) in seven innings with no walks and nine strikeouts on July 20.

Aaron Hicks is 5-for-13 with a triple and home run against him. Hicks extended his on-base streak last night to a season-high 12 games with a walk in the eighth inning.

The Rays are 72-22 when scoring first and 80-21 when scoring four runs or more. Tampa Bay relievers haven’t allowed an earned run in 36 consecutive innings, the second-longest streak in team history.

Double-A Bowie pitchers Kyle Brnovich and Jean Pinto were reinstated from the injured list. Pitchers Conner Loeprich and Houston Roth moved up to Triple-A Norfolk.