The Orioles take on the Red Sox in game two of the series tonight at Camden Yards. Last night John Means and the O’s got the better of Boston, allowing only three hits and one run. Jonathan Villar came up big at the plate for Baltimore, blasting a two-out grand slam to center field in the bottom of the second, one inning after being called out on fan interference.
The O’s have had two strong starts in a row, beginning with Dylan Bundy on Saturday and continuing with Means last night. They will look to make it three in a row this evening when David Hess takes the mound for his seventh start of the year.
But Hess has not fared well against the Red Sox in his career. In three starts against Boston, he’s 0-3 with a 8.56 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with six home runs allowed. So far this season, Hess has pitched better on the road than he has at home. In two starts at Camden Yards, he’s got a 7.20 ERA, and in five appearances on the road (four starts) he’s got a 4.43 ERA.
Left-hander David Price was originally supposed to start game two for Boston tonight, but he was placed on the IL with a left elbow problem yesterday . Hector Velazquez will take Price’s spot for the Red Sox in another apparent ‘opener’ situation. In 10 appearances on the season, the right-hander has registered a 3.72 ERA in 19.1 innings. In four starts, Velazquez’s season high for innings pitched is 3.1. In seven career appearances against the O’s, including three starts, he’s 1-1 in 15.2 innings with a 2.87 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, along with one home run allowed.
In other O’s news, Richard Bleier begins a rehab assignment tonight with the Frederick Keys, per MLB.com. He has been on the injured list since April 10 with left shoulder tendinitis.
Orioles lineup
- Jonathan Villar SS
- Trey Mancini RF
- Dwight Smith Jr. DH
- Rio Ruiz 3B
- Chris Davis 1B
- Stevie Wilkerson CF
- Hanser Alberto 2B
- Joey Rickard LF
- Austin Wynns C
- David Hess RHP
Red Sox lineup
- Andrew Benintendi LF
- Mookie Betts RF
- J.D. Martinez DH
- Mitch Moreland 1B
- Xander Bogaerts SS
- Rafael Devers 3B
- Michael Chavis 2B
- Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
- Christian Vázquez C
- Hector Velázquez RHP
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.