Ups and downs: Orioles avoid sweep against Texas

After six games on the road against AL East foes and a 5-1 record, the Orioles back to Baltimore in a high note. Well, against Texas they couldn't keep their momentum and almost get swept at home. Three takeways from the Orioles-Rangers series.

Baltimore Orioles lose series to AL West leading Texas Rangers

May 26: A debut 'for the ages' (TEX 12-2 BAL)

The Orioles' City Connection jerseys debuted last Friday. A new letter 'B' on the field and on the mound, an Adley bomb to put the good guys on the board and Mullins robbed a Home Run of Josh Jung. It was perfect, until the fourth inning. Baltimore trailed, 2-1, and Grayson Rodriguez had a disaster outing, allowing eight earned runs against the Rangers. For the second time, at home, GRod was awful. The Orioles optioned him to Norfolk to work on his control, especially his fastball.

The game was decided after a eight-run fourth by Rangers. Except Adley (3-3, HR, RBI, R), the offense was silenced by Jon Gray. In the ninth inning, the first Orioles' position player of the season took the mound, with Ryan McKenna pitching. Not ideal for a uniform debut night.

May 27: Mistakes (TEX 5-3 BAL)

Dean Kremer had a good outing (6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) and kept the Orioles within striking distance for a comeback, but some questionable decisions ruined the offense. Texas had two outfield assists in the game. The bullpen couldn't prevent Texas to keep scoring in the seventh to put Baltimore in a 4-0 hole.

The offense woke up in the seventh and the ninth to put together a rally and somehow capitalize with another comeback win. But it's not an Orioles Magic night. Baltimore lost and the City Connection has a 0-2 record. Not good.

May 28: Sweep avoided (TEX 2-3 BAL)

On Sunday, Texas changed starters, with Cody Bradford getting the nod (Dane Dunning was on paternity list). Baltimore jumped on Bradford in the first inning, with a 'sun assist' for a Mullins' single. Adley hits another and Hays scored Cedric for a 1-0 lead, and a sac fly by Ryan Mountcastle to put Baltimore ahead 2-0 after the first. Kyle Bradish had a great game (6.2 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 4 K) but the run support didn't help after the first.

Texas almost tied it, but Mr. Walltimore saves the day to deny a two-run shot by Marcus Semien. With a 2-1 lead in the eighth, Yennier Cano didn't have a clean inning, allowing an RBI double by Corey Seager and the Rangers tied. But the relentless Orioles struck back with another RBI single by Austin Hays, his third hit of the day, and Baltimore takes the lead. Felix Bautista closed the door and Baltimore won in series finale.

In the season, these two teams finished in a 3-3 tie. The head-to-head tiebreaker won't be applied in October.

On Monday, the Orioles will start a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians.