A few notes before tonight's game

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. - As the Orioles wait to find out whether they may include catcher Matt Wieters in tonight's lineup, they will attempt to continue their recent run of success against the Rays. The Orioles are 3-0 against Tampa Bay this season and have outscored the Rays 15-4. They've won three in a row for the first time since building a five-game winning streak against Tampa Bay from Aug. 4-Sept. 13, 2012. The Orioles have won nine of their last 15 road games, averaging 5.4 runs per game during that stretch. They're batting .294/.344/.449 since losing their first two games to the Tigers at Comerica Park. Fifteen of the Orioles' first 29 games have been decided by one or two runs. Ryan Flaherty broke a 3-3 tie last night with his bases-loaded single in the eighth inning, the latest he's recorded a go-ahead hit in his career. His previous latest was a single in the seventh inning off the Indians' Joe Smith that broke a 7-7 tie on June 29, 2012. The Rays are starting left-handers Cesar Ramos and David Price in the final two games of this series, which could push Flaherty to the bench in favor of Jonathan Schoop. Nick Markakis is batting .340 (18-for-53) with a .417 on-base percentage during a 13-game hitting streak. He's hit safely in 16 of the last 17 games. Steve Pearce hit his first career home run at Tropicana Field last night. It came during an eight-pitch at-bat, the most in his career before homering. Honestly, who keeps track of this stuff? Bud Norris is seeking his third consecutive victory tonight. He's 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in three road starts this season, and 1-2 with a 4.19 ERA in four career games against the Rays. In his last start against Tampa Bay, Norris allowed one earned run over seven innings and earned the win in a July 3, 2013 game at Camden Yards. Norris has made one career appearance at Tropicana Field and he came out of the bullpen to do it. He gave up a run over 2 1/3 innings in the Orioles' 5-4, 18-inning loss on Sept. 20, 2013. David DeJesus is 7-for-13 with two home runs lifetime against Norris. James Loney is 9-for-17. Ramos has made 14 career appearances against the Orioles, but none as a starter. He's allowed seven runs in 17 1/3 innings. J.J. Hardy is 5-for-9 with a double, two home runs and eight RBIs against Ramos. He hasn't homered in 86 plate appearances this season. Maybe he can take advantage of this matchup. Markakis is 3-for-8 versus Ramos. Major League Baseball announced that the Orioles will wear the road gray uniform of the Negro League's Baltimore Elite Giants for the Civil Rights Game on May 30 in Houston. The club tweeted this photo.



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