Yarbrough, Rays hand Orioles 14th straight loss, 8-4

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Yarbrough came off the COVID-19 injured list and worked five scoreless innings as the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays handed the Baltimore Orioles their 14th consecutive loss, 8-4 on Wednesday night.

Baltimore, which also had a 14-game skid from May 18-31, joined the Boston Braves as the only teams to have a pair of 14-game or longer losing streaks in the same season since 1901. The Braves did it twice, in 1911 and 1935.

“We’re just going through a really rough time in this rebuild right now,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’re playing against teams that are postseason (contenders) and we’re a long ways away. They’re playing to win it and we’re trying to just do the best we can and stay positive with it.”

Cy Young was on the 1911 Boston team, going 4-5 in the final season of his 511-win career. Babe Ruth spent part of 1935 with Boston, hitting six of his 714 homers during his last season.

Baltimore has been outscored 131-40 during the current slide.

“We're just not in many games right now and that's very, very hard," Hyde said. “Our guys are not quitting, and I give our guys credit for that. This is challenging.”

Yarbrough (7-4) followed opener Louis Head to start the second inning and gave up one hit in his first appearance since Aug. 6.

“It was amazing how efficient he was and how good his stuff was,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Just awesome.”

Yarbrough, who was vaccinated, tested positive after experiencing cold-like symptoms while the Rays were in Baltimore from Aug. 6-8.

“It's great to be able to be back with everybody now,” Yarbrough said. “Definitely a great day to start it off with today."

Yarbrough was able to stay in shape throwing into a net.

“It was just one of...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Yarbrough-Rays-hand-Orioles-14th-straight-loss-16396787.php