Rays/MLB

Up next: Orioles

By MARC TOPKIN
Published September 18, 2006

UP NEXT: ORIOLES

WHAT'S NEW: Like the Devil Rays, the Orioles are stumbling through the final month of another lost season, though with more big-name, highly paid veterans and without as many promising young players. Even with Sunday's win, they've lost 14 of 19. Veteran Melvin Mora told the Baltimore Sun that "big changes" are needed, specifically in attitude: "I think people here have taken the losing mentality. I don't like it when people think, 'Okay, we'll go home. We played a good year or whatever.' It's frustrating when you see guys like the Yankees come to town and play for something, and you are going nowhere."

INJURIES: DH John Gibbons will see sporadic playing time because of a pinched nerve in his neck and a sore knee. ... Reliever LaTroy Hawkins has a groin injury and hasn't pitched since Sept. 2. ... Outfielder Corey Patterson is back after missing 15 games with a sprained shoulder.

KEEP IN MIND: The Rays' 26 homers against the Orioles match their most against any opponent (also Boston). ... Since early July, the Orioles have had 17 games in which they have allowed nine or more runs and 20 games in which they've allowed fewer than three. ... The Orioles have allowed an AL-high 197 homers, including a major-league-leading 12 grand slams. ... Rookie Hayden Penn may get bumped from Wednesday's start; he has allowed 22 runs and 24 hits over 7¹/₃ innings in his first three.

WHO'S HOT: Ex-Ray Chris Gomez has an 11-game September hitting streak and, after going 4-for-6 Sunday, a .432 average (19-for-44) over that span.

WHO'S NOT: Brandon Fahey is 5-for-50 in his past 23 games and hitting .163 since the All-Star break.

SERIES: The Orioles lead 11-5 this season and 80-67 all time, including 18 wins in the past 25 games. At the Trop, the Orioles lead 4-3 this season but the Rays hold a 37-36 edge.

[Last modified September 18, 2006, 02:27:39]