After losing their first game of the year in the finale against the Boston Red Sox, the Orioles headed to Arlington to face off against the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers got early praise during Spring Training for having a good chance to repeat as division champions with only the Houston Astros in their way and they played like a playoff team against the Orioles.

Game One: Rangers: 6, Orioles: 3

In his first loss of the season, Chris Tillman seemed to be cruising along allowing only one run through the first five innings he pitched. When he got into the 6th, it all fell apart. Tillman was charged with six earned runs over nine hits total in his start, his worst outing to date.

The only bright spot from this game was Mark Trumbo staying hot by hitting his third home run of the season but that was about it.

Joey Rickard also picked up an RBI with a double that scored Nolan Reimold in the 3rd inning, as the legend of Joey Rickard continues to grow.

Game Two: Orioles: 11, Rangers: 5

Hoping to end the two game losing streak, the Orioles sent out Vance Worley for his second start of the season which could have been a disaster.

In the 2nd inning, the Rangers scored five runs which left Orioles fans yelling at the T.V. to get Worley out of the game, myself included. Luckily for him, following that inning he was able to regain his momentum and pitch four scoreless innings en route to his first victory as an Oriole.

Lucky for him, he has the Orioles offense to back him up. In the top of the 7th, the Orioles scored nine runs which included four home runs, two alone from Mark Trumbo. Jonathan Schoop homered in the inning, and later in the game, along with Nolan Reimold to help the Orioles score nine runs which is the most runs the O’s have scored in a single inning so far this season.

Game Three: Rangers: 8, Orioles: 4

Early nominee for most annoying game of the season, the Orioles had a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the 7th when all Hell broke loose and the Rangers score six runs in the inning.

Yovani Gallardo was sent back out to work the bottom of the 7th, which in hindsight was a huge mistake, and allowed the first batter he faced, Brett Nicholas, to walk which was followed immediately by a Delino DeShields double.

Enter T.J. McFarland who allowed three earned runs on two hits in 1/3 of an inning and paved the way for Mychal Givens to try and finish this disastrous inning. Luckily for the Orioles, Givens was able to get out of the inning but not before letting up a run of his own, which was unearned.

The only highlights from this game for me were Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Chris Davis all hitting home runs, Pedro Alvarez getting his first RBI as an Oriole and Manny Machado starting easily the best double play of the baseball season.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-L7_PlmFY4]

Game Four: Postponed

The fourth game of the series was rained out and postponed until June 20th when the two teams will meet up to officially finish the four game series.

The Orioles now head home for a three game home stand where they will welcome the reigning AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays.

Mike Wright and Marcus Stroman is the scheduled match up for game one followed by Ubaldo Jimenez vs. R.A. Dickey on Wednesday and Chris Tillman vs. Marco Estrada on Thursday.

Following the series against the Jays, the Orioles will go back on the road for three games against the reigning World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals, followed by a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg.