No pressure but…

Interim manager Juan Samuel told reporters last night that he would like to see rookie starter Jake Arrieta go deep into the game to help preserve an overused O’s bullpen.

It’s no easy task considering the Rays are the best road team in baseball. If Arrieta can give them some quality innings, the O’s could go right to Jason Berken and possibly David Hernandez or Alfredo Simon to close out the game. (Samuel said the team would go with Koji, but he hasn’t been used back-to-back since coming off the DL.)

Matt Albers had his best outing –tossing three scoreless innings — and is unavailable tonight as is long man Mark Hendrickson. The O’s optioned Frank Mata back to make room for Luke Scott, and should closer Michael Gonzalez is expected to be activated when his rehab ends Wednesday.