Pirates at Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles attempt to extend their winning streak to four games Wednesday when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle contest of their three-game interleague series. Baltimore took the opener Tuesday as Adam Jones and Brian Roberts combined for seven hits and three RBIs. Roberts was in the lineup for the first time since May 16, 2011 due to a concussion.
While Baltimore remained one game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East, Pittsburgh fell one game behind Cincinnati in the National League Central as its four-game winning streak came to an end. The Pirates need to win the final two games of the set in order to capture their sixth consecutive series.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Pittsburgh), MASN 2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Kevin Correia (2-5, 4.29 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Brian Matusz (5-6, 4.82 ERA)
Correia has pitched well of late, allowing three runs or less in each of his last four starts. However, he has not worked more than 6 1/3 innings in any of those outings. The 31-year-old settled for a no-decision at Cincinnati on Thursday after yielding three runs and eight hits in five frames. Correia, who will be starting on the road for the eighth time in 12 appearances this season, won his only career meeting with the Orioles.
Matusz still is expected to start after suffering a nose contusion while bunting during batting practice on Tuesday. The 25-year-old is coming off a loss at Boston on Thursday when he surrendered five runs on four hits and five walks over just two innings. Matusz, who is 2-3 in six home starts this year, will be facing Pittsburgh for the first time in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Orioles hit three home runs Tuesday to raise their season total to 85, which is third in the major leagues behind the Yankees (95) and Toronto Blue Jays (88).
2. Baltimore batters have struck out a league-high 513 times.
3. Correia has allowed 11 home runs this season, more than twice as many as any other Pirates pitcher.