Up next: The Orioles

SCOUTING REPORT: The Orioles finished the first half one game under .500 but have lost 10 of 16 in the second. Still, with the Blue Jays and Rays behind them, they're in no real danger of dropping out of third place in the AL East.

The offense, which ranks in the bottom third of the AL, has been slowed by injuries to David Segui, Jeff Conine, Mike Bordick and Chris Richard.

Starter Rodrigo Lopez and reliever Jorge Julio are the bright spots on the pitching staff and have put up numbers worthy of Rookie of the Year consideration.

Lopez, who starts Wednesday, ranks among league leaders with a 3.01 ERA and a .219 batting average against. Julio has 19 saves and a 2.09 ERA.

All-Star Tony Batista, who replaced Cal Ripken at third base, has started all 101 games and has played in 158 in a row dating to last season.

Don't expect the Orioles, who have reduced payroll by $43-million since 2000, to be major players before the trade deadline. Centerfielder Chris Singleton could be moved, but veterans such as Marty Cordova and Segui are considered untradeable.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Pitcher Jason Johnson was the Rays' seventh pick in the expansion draft and was traded for outfielder Danny Clyburn in March 1999. ... Rays reliever Esteban Yan made his major-league debut in 1996 with Baltimore. ... Rays first-base coach Lee May played for the Orioles from 1975-80. .

SEASON SERIES: The Rays lead the all-time series 34-33 and the season series 6-5. At Tropicana Field this season, the series is tied at 3.

WHO'S HOT: Outfielder Gary Matthews was batting .363 with a homer, 3 stolen bases, 5 runs scored and 6 RBIs in eight games entering Sunday. He was ejected during the fourth inning Sunday against Boston.

WHO'S NOT: Cordova was hitting .167 with six strikeouts in six games through Saturday.