The reigning American League champions have plummeted out of playoff contention and have dropped 11 straight games - including two losses Sunday to the Boston Red Sox in which they managed just one total run - entering the four-game series against the Orioles.
It's the longest losing streak for Tampa Bay since an 11-game slide in 2007. The Rays are without slugging first baseman Carlos Pena, who is out for the rest of the season after having surgery to repair two broken fingers on his left hand.
Former Oriole Chris Richard was promoted after Pena's injury and is batting .125. Struggling outfielder B.J. Upton returned to the lineup and went 0-for-3 in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader, his first game action since Wednesday because of a sore left ankle. Like Upton, Pat Burrell has had a disappointing season and was in a 1-for-19 slump after going 0-for-5 Sunday.
