BALTIMORE -- Nine days off did not exactly leave Rangers pitcher Tyson Ross at his best against the Orioles on Tuesday night.
Ross is hardly the only pitcher who had extended rest because of the All-Star break but he wasn't able to pick up where left off before his extended rest. Instead Ross gave up six runs in the first inning before recording an out in the Rangers' 12-1 loss at Camden Yards.
"I was missing over the heart of the plate and those guys were putting good swings on it," Ross said. "Tough outing. I didn't give my team a chance to win and I abused the bullpen. I have a lot of work ahead of me to get ready for the next outing."
Ross was tagged for nine runs in his 3 1/3 innings and the Rangers have lost three straight after winning their first two games following the All-Star break. Ross was the last of the Rangers' five starters to take the mound after the All-Star break but did not have the longest layoff: Andrew Cashner had 11 days off before holding the Orioles to three runs in 6 2/3 innings on Monday night.
"They all still go through the process of bullpen sessions," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "After the All-Star break, where he was lined up, was it a factor? Possibly. He's still a Major League pitcher. But he's had some challenges trying to find his rhythm. His ball was moving all over the place. But we've got to get his rhythm and timing and repeatability to the point he throws consistent quality strikes."
Ross' last start was on July 8 against the Angels when he allowed just one run over 5 2/3 innings in a 5-2 victory. Ross also had a 3.24 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in his final three starts before the layoff.
"I was well-rested," Ross said. "Physically I felt good. It was a matter of execution and I didn't do that tonight."
Shin-Soo Choo's leadoff home run in the first inning gave Ross a 1-0 lead. But the bottom of the first began with Adam Jones hitting a line drive to third baseman Adrian Beltre, who couldn't react quick enough and the ball hit off his glove for an single. Ross then walked Manny Machado and, on a 1-2 pitch, gave up a two-run double to Jonathan Schoop.
Chris Davis then jumped on a first pitch fastball and drove it to deep left-center, the farthest alley in the park. Center fielder Carlos Gomez got to the wall and jumped to make the catch, only to have the ball tick off his glove. It landed on the other side for a home run.
After Mark Trumbo singled, Trey Mancini hit one into the seats in left to make it 6-1.
Ross left the game with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth. Austin Bibens-Dirkx took over to face Davis, who crushed the second pitch out to deep right-center for a grand slam. Ross was charged with three of those runs.