On the night of the Orioles Hall of Fame ceremony, which featured heartfelt messages, tears and standing ovations, the O’s again watched another lead falter at the bat of Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Nelson Cruz.
With a runner on second in the top of the fifth and Cruz’s team trailing by a run, the former Oriole launched a two-run home run to center field, jump-starting a 12-3 victory Saturday. This was the fourth straight game in which the Orioles allowed double-digit runs, setting a franchise record.
The bullpen struggles mounted in the top of the eighth inning.