masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pedro Alvarez is batting second again today as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field.
Alvarez is hitting .307/.365/.648 (27-for-88) with 14 extra-base hits, 15 RBIs and 14 runs scored in his last 28 games since July 28.
Ubaldo Jimenez is looking for his first win as a starter since June 28 in San Diego. He’s 4-2 with a 2.87 ERA in six career starts against the Rays, but 1-2 with a 4.79 ERA in three starts at Tropicana Field.
In his last…

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pedro Alvarez is batting second again today as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Alvarez is hitting .307/.365/.648 (27-for-88) with 14 extra-base hits, 15 RBIs and 14 runs scored in his last 28 games since July 28.

Ubaldo Jimenez is looking for his first win as a starter since June 28 in San Diego. He’s 4-2 with a 2.87 ERA in six career starts against the Rays, but 1-2 with a 4.79 ERA in three starts at Tropicana Field.

In his last two starts, Jimenez has allowed four runs and 10 hits and walked only two batters in 12 2/3 innings.

jimenez-back-gray-pitching-sidebar.jpgJimenez faced the Rays on June 26 at The Trop and allowed three runs in six innings in a 3-1 loss.

Logan Morrison is 4-for-6 with two doubles against Jimenez and Evan Longoria is 2-for-12 with five strikeouts.

Rays right-hander Matt Andriese is 6-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 24 games (14 starts) this season. In his last start, the Red Sox roughed him up for seven runs and 10 hits in four innings.

Andriese faced the Orioles on June 25 and allowed two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings in a 5-0 loss. He’s 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA in four career games (one start) versus the Orioles.

Adam Jones is 3-for-5 against Andriese.

The Rays have been playing with a three-man bench despite roster expansion. In past games, they’ve had an outfielder and two catchers in reserve, but no infielders.

Brian Duensing is not listed among the Orioles relievers.

Update: Duensing is now listed among the relievers on the lineup card.

For the Orioles
Adam Jones CF
Pedro Alvarez DH
Manny Machado 3B
Chris Davis 1B
Mark Trumbo RF
Matt Wieters C
Jonathan Schoop 2B
J.J. Hardy SS
Hyun Soo Kim LF

Ubaldo Jimenez RHP

For the Rays
Nick Franklin 2B
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Evan Longoria 3B
Brad Miller SS
Logan Morrison 1B
Steven Souza Jr. RF
Corey Dickerson LF
Curt Casali DH
Luke Maile C

Matt Andriese RHP