O's game blog: Dylan Bundy pitches against Rangers

The Orioles have played a series of close games since they beat Kansas City 14-2 on the road a week ago tonight. We'll see if that continues this evening in the second game of a four-game series against Texas.

The Orioles (46-94) have played six straight games decided by two runs or fewer. They are 1-5 in those games after Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers. This is the second game of a seven-game homestand for the Orioles, who are 22-47 in home games and now 13-33 in series-opening games.

The Orioles have been held to zero and one run in the last two games, going 1-for-20 with runners in scoring position. They were 0-for-13 last night with runners in scoring position. The Baltimore offense has produced 13 runs the last five games.

O's pitchers have given up just seven runs the last three games. Baltimore starting pitchers have six quality starts the past 11 games - three by John Means - and an ERA of 3.64.

Texas (69-73) is 4-3 the last seven games, 9-9 over 18 and 21-31 since the All-Star break. The Rangers are 0-9-2 in their past 11 road series.

Trey Mancini collected his eighth three-hit game of the season Thursday and his 19th with multiple hits. Mancini is now second on the team in runs scored with 90.

Hanser Alberto is averaging a major league best .417 (80-for-192) against left-handers this season, the most hits against southpaws in the majors. He entered play for the series opener ranked fourth in the American League and ninth in the majors among qualifying hitters with a .321 average.

Baltimore's Anthony Santander extended his career-high hitting streak to 10 games with a single to start fourth inning. He is batting .415 (17-for-41) with three doubles, five home runs, six runs and 12 RBIs during this stretch. He's hitting .327 (49-for-150) in 38 home games.

On the mound tonight, right-hander Dylan Bundy (6-13, 4.96 ERA) will make his 27th start. Since he gave up six runs in an Aug. 14 outing versus the Yankees, Bundy is 1-0 with an ERA of 3.00 in his past three starts, allowing one homer over 18 innings. The Orioles are 9-17 in Bundy's starts, but 5-5 over the past 10.

Lefty Brock Burke (0-1, 1.50 ERA) will make his fourth career start for Texas. He was acquired in a three-team deal from Tampa Bay that also involved Oakland in Dec. 2018. Burke is the first pitcher in Texas Rangers history to throw six innings or more allowing two runs or less in his first three MLB starts.