BALTIMORE -- In his first start since returning from the All-Star Game, John Means allowed career highs of six runs and three home runs as the Orioles lost to the Rays, 12-4, in the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader Saturday at Oriole Park. Baltimore won Game 1 by a 2-1 margin.

Means entered the game with a 2.50 ERA and hadn’t allowed more than four runs in any start this season. The rookie had allowed two home runs just once.

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“I thought Means threw the ball pretty good,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “I thought they cheated a couple fastballs in, kind of hit it, the ball was carrying good and they kind of hit it in that left-center-field area where it's pretty short.

“I think his breaking ball was real good tonight, but he had a real good changeup early in the game. It was a 3-2 game going into the sixth, they cheated on a couple of fastballs in on him. It got away from us after that. I thought he threw the ball pretty good, especially through five innings.”

Michael Brosseau hit a two-run home run in the second, Yandy Diaz hit a solo shot in the fourth and Nate Lowe hit a two-run blast in the sixth off Means. Brosseau and Lowe homered back to back in the ninth against Tayler Scott.

“It’s just part of getting that experience up here,” Means said. “Just kind of getting the experience of coming back after a rough game like that, and coming back as the same person that I was, and just kind of reestablishing it.”

Means didn’t pitch in the All-Star Game, and he hadn’t started since July 3, when he allowed three runs (two earned) in seven innings in a 9-6 win over the Rays.

He said that not pitching for 10 days didn’t faze him.

“I can’t make that excuse,” Means said. “But I’ll get on a routine this week and then be back.”

Less than two hours before his scheduled start, Means learned that staff leader Andrew Cashner was traded to Boston.

“It was pretty crazy,” Means said. “He’s kind of our fearless leader, so to [lose] a guy like that who is kind of your voice is kind of tough.”

After allowing six runs in six innings, Means’ ERA rose to 2.94.

Cashner was scheduled to start on Sunday for the Orioles, and Hyde has yet to announce who will pitch in his place. Hyde lauded Cashner, who was his most experienced starter

“Good for Andrew Cashner,” Hyde said. “I'm happy for him. He was phenomenal for me, for the coaching staff, for the players. He was the ultimate team guy, ultra pro, unbelievably competitive and was a huge help not only for me but everybody else. I wish him the best, except when we face him. Hopefully he gets a chance to go to the postseason, and wishing good things for him.”