masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgGame Preview
Orioles (60-97) at Tampa Bay (81-76)

Heading into tonight’s game at Tampa, the O’s need a win to end a 12-game losing streak and three wins in the next five games to avoid a 100-loss season.

Tonight, in game three of a four-game series, David Hernandez (4-9, 5.20) pitches vs. Tampa’s James Shields (10-12, 4.17).

The O’s losing streak is the longest in the Majors this year. Tampa (September 3-13) and Cleveland (September 13-24) both lost 11 in a row earlier this…Game Preview
Orioles (60-97) at Tampa Bay (81-76)

Heading into tonight’s game at Tampa, the O’s need a win to end a 12-game losing streak and three wins in the next five games to avoid a 100-loss season.

Tonight, in game three of a four-game series, David Hernandez (4-9, 5.20) pitches vs. Tampa’s James Shields (10-12, 4.17).

The O’s losing streak is the longest in the Majors this year. Tampa (September 3-13) and Cleveland (September 13-24) both lost 11 in a row earlier this month.

It’s the O’s longest since they also lost 12 in a row from August 16-28, 2004. It ties for the third longest losing streak in team history. The Orioles lost 14 straight from August 11-25, 1954 and lost 21 in a row in April of 1988.

During the 12-game losing streak:
*O’s out-scored 80-36
*O’s team average is .254
*O’s opponent average is .315
*O’s team ERA is 6.33
*O’s losses by two runs or less – 6

The O’s were held to just one run in Tuesday’s loss to Tampa. During the loss streak, the O’s have scored just 36 runs and left 95 runners on base.

Since the All-Star break, the Orioles have scored three runs or less in 32 of 69 games, going 1-31 in those contests.

Most Losses, O’s history:
107 – 1988
100 – 1954
98 – 2001
97 – 1955, 2009

The Orioles are 0-8 with two games left on the season’s last road trip. They are 24-55 on the road on the year.

The O’s are now 7-9 this season vs. Tampa and 20-47 in games vs. the AL East, including a mark of just 6-28 in road games in the division.

The Birds lead the all-time series with Tampa, 103-99.

Tampa has won eight of 11 and is 9-5 over its past 14 games. The Rays are now 49-27 at home and 10-17 this month.

A win tonight would give Tampa its 82nd victory and assure the Rays a second straight winning season.

Magnificent Matt
With two more hits last night, Matt Wieters continued his recent hot hitting. Wieters batting average is up to a season-best .294. Here is more on Wieters recent hot hitting.

This series: Is 5 for 8
This season vs. Tampa: 13-29/3/12
His last 15 games: .439-3-14
In September: .367-3-14
Since All-Star break: .311-5-30