All the momentum that Steve Trachsel built up in his first two Orioles starts went out the window last night when he was pounded in the Orioles' 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Trachsel took a one-hit shutout into the fourth inning, but never made it out of the inning. He allowed six runs on six hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. In the process, his ERA jumped about 2 1/2 runs to 5.19.
Before Monday's series opener, Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo was asked about the role he planned for Jon Knott, whose contract was selected earlier in the day. Perlozzo said that he would use Knott off the bench and call on him if the club needed a three-run homer. Knott pinch-hit for Freddie Bynum in the eighth inning and launched a three-run shot into the left-field bleachers off Brian Stokes to cut the Devil Rays' lead to two. It was his first major league home run.
Brian Roberts entered last night just 3-for-22 against Tampa Bay starter Casey Fossum, so you could hardly blame him for not being excited. The Orioles' second baseman singled on the first pitch of the game, took second base immediately (Fossum had him picked off but Roberts was safe at second on first baseman Carlos Pena's errant throw) and then stole third on Fossum's first delivery to No. 2 hitter Melvin Mora. Roberts then scored the game's first run.
The Orioles' Erik Bedard will oppose Scott Kazmir in today's series finale in a game matching two of the best left-handers in the league. Bedard, who is 2-1 with a 5.09 ERA, was 4-1 with a 2.75 ERA in six starts against the Devil Rays last season. Kazmir, who out-dueled Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana in his last outing, was 0-1 with a 7.62 ERA in three starts against the Orioles last season.