masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgCuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez is playing his third game in the Gulf Coast League today. It is believed to be his last in Florida, as the Orioles are planning to move Alvarez to Single-A Frederick, where he is expected to debut for the Keys on Thursday at Potomac.

The Keys return home Saturday to begin a series against Winston-Salem.

The 24-year-old Alvarez, signed by the club to an $800,000 bonus in July, went 2-for-4 in his first two GCL games Monday and Tuesday, and homered in his first…Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez is playing his third game in the Gulf Coast League today. It is believed to be his last in Florida, as the Orioles are planning to move Alvarez to Single-A Frederick, where he is expected to debut for the Keys on Thursday at Potomac.

The Keys return home Saturday to begin a series against Winston-Salem.

The 24-year-old Alvarez, signed by the club to an $800,000 bonus in July, went 2-for-4 in his first two GCL games Monday and Tuesday, and homered in his first pro at-bat with the organization.

So far in today’s game, he is 1-for-4 with a double.

The O’s first-round pick, pitcher Hunter Harvey, started that game and pitched 3 1/3 shutout innings on four hits. He did not walk a batter, fanned six and now has an ERA of 1.35 in the GCL.

Meanwhile, in Arizona this afternoon, the Orioles have a tall order trying to beat D-backs ace lefty Patrick Corbin to avoid being swept in three straight.

The 24-year-old Corbin is 12-3 with an ERA of 2.36. He ranks third in the National League in ERA, is tied for fourth in wins and is fourth in WHIP at 1.02.

Over his last six starts, Corbin is 3-2 with an ERA of 1.99. He has recorded six consecutive quality starts, has nine over his last 10 games and 20 in 23 starts on the season.

Corbin is 8-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 13 home starts. He is very tough early in games with an ERA of 1.96 in the first inning, 0.78 in the second, 0.39 in the third and 1.57 in the fourth.

Lefty batters hit just .184 off him and right-handed batters don’t do much better at .216.

Can the O’s get to the Arizona ace today? Chris Tillman, with a win this afternoon, would become the O’s first 15-game winner since Erik Bedard in 2006.

The Orioles are 18-5 in Tillman’s 23 starts this year and a remarkable 13-1 in his last 14 outings.