masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgTonight, the Orioles play another rubber match.

The Orioles have not fared well in such games this year. They are 2-6 and have lost four straight series-deciding games. It started in the first series against Boston when they lost Game 3 4-3 and continued through Sunday in an 11-1 loss to Oakland.

Meanwhile, the Orioles offense has slowed again. They’ve scored just five runs the last three games and just 14 runs with a .221 team batting average during the five games of this homestand so…Tonight, the Orioles play another rubber match.

The Orioles have not fared well in such games this year. They are 2-6 and have lost four straight series-deciding games. It started in the first series against Boston when they lost Game 3 4-3 and continued through Sunday in an 11-1 loss to Oakland.

Meanwhile, the Orioles offense has slowed again. They’ve scored just five runs the last three games and just 14 runs with a .221 team batting average during the five games of this homestand so far.

Some O’s hitters recently:

* J.J. Hardy is 0-for-12 his last four games and has not homered in his last 302 at-bats.

* Chris Davis is 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts his last four games. Over his last 14 games, Davis is batting .164 (9-for-55) with 24 strikeouts.

* Nelson Cruz is 2-for-20 over his last six games.

* Manny Machado is hitless in his last 15 at-bats.

The Orioles were shut out 1-0 last night by Boston and had just two hits. They never even advanced a runner as far as second base.

The O’s continue to hit much better on the road than at home:

Road – .280 avg, .332 OBP, .443 slugging, 5.09 runs per game.
Home – .243 avg, .296 OBP, .370 slugging, 3.21 runs per game.

Tonight, lefty Wei-Yin Chen (6-2, 4.13 ERA) pitches against right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (1-1, 2.84 ERA). Chen is 3-3 with an ERA of 5.26 in 10 career starts against Boston. Chen is 1-1 with an ERA of 5.91 against the Sox this year.