Tampa Bay gets early runs versus Cobb, splits twin bill (quotes added)

Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb allowed single runs in the first four innings tonight as Tampa Bay beat the Orioles 10-3 to split a doubleheader at Camden Yards.

The Orioles fall to 12-28 and have lost nine of 14, 20 of 27 and 22 of their last 30 games. They are 4-2 on this nine-game homestand. Tampa Bay improves to 16-21 and ended a five-game losing streak.

The Orioles won 6-3 in the opener as right-hander David Hess won his major league debut. He went six innings and held Tampa Bay scoreless after allowing a three-run homer in the first. He is the first O's pitcher to start and win his major league debut since Mike Wright Jr. on May 17, 2015 versus the Los Angeles Angels.an

But the feel good vibe didn't hold as the Orioles were held to four hits, made two errors, allowed an unearned run and walked seven batters.

The second game was delayed by a torrential rain storm that produced hail at Camden Yards. Play was halted at 7:37 p.m. with two outs in the top of the sixth. The game resumed an hour and 19 minutes later.

Against Cobb, the Rays homered in the first inning for the second time today to take a 1-0 lead. Batting second, C.J. Cron hit a 1-1 curveball out to right to put the Rays in the lead. It was his eighth home run.

The Orioles quickly tied it when left fielder Trey Mancini led off the home first with a loud homer to left. Mancini drilled a 1-0 fastball from right-hander Matt Adriese for his fifth of the year. His blast left the bat at 114 mph and went 406 feet.

But then the Rays scored single runs in the second, third and fourth to lead 4-1. Brad Miller tripled to lead off in the second and scored on a grounder. Johnny Field led off the third with a single and later scored on Joey Wendle's sac fly. In the fourth, Miller blasted a homer to right on Cobb's 2-0 splitter for a 4-1 lead.

But the Orioles got back in the game after the delay. They scored twice in the last of the sixth. Caleb Joseph led off with a double and scored on Mancini's single to center. A double by Adam Jones put runners on second and third. One out later, Jonathan Schoop's soft grounder to the mound scored the third run. But José Alvarado came on and fanned Chris Davis as the tie run was stranded at third.

The Orioles defense then allowed Tampa Bay's fifth run to come home in the seventh when Schoop's throw to get a runner at third got by Jace Peterson and went for an E4. Mallex Smith doubled in a run in the Rays eighth for a 6-3 lead. Pedro Araujo issued a bases-loaded walk to Cron for a 7-3 lead and Tampa added three in the ninth against Mike Wright Jr.

Cobb falls to 0-5 with a 7.06 ERA. Over 5 2/3 he allowed seven hits and four runs (three earned) with no walks and five strikeouts on 69 pitches.

The Rays went with a bullpen game, using seven pitchers. Sergio Romo, who pitched 1 1/3 scoreless after Andriese was credited with the win.

In the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m., right-hander Dylan Bundy (1-5, 5.31 ERA) faces lefty Blake Snell (4-2, 2.40 ERA).

Postgame quotes:

Cobb on this start compared to his last two strong ones: "Similar to the other ones, honestly. A few pitches they capitalized on that were not capitalized on last game. The signs are there. The pitches are some of the best pitches I've thrown in a couple of years. The consistency needs to get a little bit better. The two longballs, they hurt a lot. Overall was pretty happy with some of the stuff I had going tonight.

"They were putting some good swings on it. Actually, felt pretty good as the game went on. Felt like I was actually getting in a good groove before that rain came. You know, times where I really needed to battle back from some at-bats where I was behind in the count. Trying to stay in the zone and they they hit those pretty good."

Cobb, asked if the delay was frustrating since it ended his night: "It is. It's a long day for everybody. As a starting pitcher you try to take that upon yourself to make that a little easier and go deep in the ballgame. Think I had 69 pitches, I think. So I was lined up to do that and mother nature came and ruined it."

Mancini on the O's getting more offense in Game 1 than in Game 2: "That is baseball in a nutshell for you. Yeah, something that happens earlier in the day has pretty much zero influence on later in the day, especially when they are two different ballgames. Just goes to show anything can happen in any game."

Mancini on Chaz Roe protecting a 4-3 lead in the sixth: "Chaz Roe is one of the nastiest relievers, I mean his slider is good. He executes pitches well. He came in and did a good job. We still won one game and have a chance to win three out of four tomorrow."