O's game blog: Jorge López faces Astros

After a 10-2 loss on Monday night, the Orioles welcome the Houston Astros back to Camden Yards tonight to continue a three-game series. The Orioles were being no-hit into the eighth inning last night when Maikel Franco's home run scored two and was the club's first hit. Franco hit No. 9 and blasted that ball 420-feet, his third-longest homer of the season.

The Orioles (23-49) are 1-3 on this homestand and 12-24 for the season at home. Overall, they have lost 11 of 12 games. They've been held to six runs the last two games after scoring 24 in the previous four games. O's pitchers have allowed 53 runs over the past seven games and 87 over the last 12.

Houston (44-28) leads the American League West by one game over Oakland. The win last night was the Astros' eighth straight and they've outscored their opponents 65-20 in that span. Houston is 12-2 its past 14 games and 17-4 over the last 21. They are 38-18 since April 22.

The Astros' eight-game winning streak is their longest of the season and longest since posting an eight-game streak last season from Aug. 12-20. Houston last posted longer winning streaks in 2019, when the club ran off two separate 10-game streaks during their 107-win season.

The Astros lead the majors in runs scored (409), hits (691), batting average (.277), OBP (.348), slugging and OPS (.802), and rank second in doubles (145) and seventh in homers (95).

Orioles right-hander Jorge López (2-8, 5.95 ERA) will make his 15th start tonight and the Orioles are 4-10 in his first 14.

López allowed a season-high three homers in his last start against Cleveland when he gave up five runs over 4 1/3 innings. López, who had allowed just three home runs over his previous seven starts, gave up two in the first inning and three in the first three innings. That tied his career high for homers allowed and the game marked the fifth time he's allowed three in a game, the first time since Sept. 29, 2019 versus Minnesota. It was Lopez's 20th start for the Orioles and first time he gave up three in one game.

Right-hander Zack Greinke (7-2, 3.74 ERA) will make his 16th start for Houston. Over his past two against Boston and Texas, he gave up seven runs and 11 hits over 8 2/3 innings. He had given up two runs in 17 innings in his previous two games. Houston is 11-4 in his outings.

Greinke won the 2009 American League Cy Young Award while with Kansas City. He has finished in the top eight of the voting four others times, including when he was second with the Dodgers in 2015.

On the farm: The Orioles' four minor league affiliates have a combined record of 90-69 (.566) with Triple-A Norfolk at 15-24, Double-A Bowie at 27-13, high Single-A Aberdeen at 23-17 and low Single-A Delmarva at 25-15. Bowie, Aberdeen and Delmarva have a combined mark of 75-45 (.625).

Norfolk was set to host Gwinnett tonight with lefty Kevin Smith on the mound for his second Triple-A game. But the game was rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow. Last week in his Norfolk debut, Smith allowed six hits and five runs (three earned) over 4 1/3 innings.

Right-hander Ofelky Peralta (3-0, 2.55 ERA) is slated to pitch for Bowie tonight at home versus New Hampshire. He has thrown scoreless ball in three of his past four outings. The Baysox have added outfielder Kyle Stowers, infielder Toby Welk and right-handed pitcher Kyle Brnovich. Brnovich, acquired in the Dylan Bundy trade with the Angels, will make his Bowie debut on Thursday night. He went 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings at Aberdeen.

The IronBirds, who added infielder Gunnar Henderson this week, host Rome tonight. Aberdeen is 3-1 since ending a seven-game losing streak. The IronBirds appear set to use a few bullpen games coming up over the next few days. Right Jake Prizina (0-0, 1.84 ERA) is listed to start tonight with Garrett Stallings set for Wednesday, Kevin Magee on Thursday, Drew Rom on Friday and Connor Gillispie on Saturday night.

Right-hander Zach Peek (1-2, 3.70 ERA) gets the start tonight for Delmarva at home versus Fredericksburg. The Shorebirds have lost five and seven and nine of 15 games since their 19-6 start. Delmarva is 9-3 against Fredericksburg. The Shorebirds list Griffin McLarty to start Wednesday followed by Brandon Young, Shane Davis and Noah Denoyer.

Manoah suspended: Major League Baseball issued this statement today:

"Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah has received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at Maikel Franco in the bottom of the fourth inning of Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Michael Hill, Major League Baseball's Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, made the announcement.

"In addition, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo has received a one-game suspension for Manoah's actions. Montoyo will serve his suspension tonight, when the Blue Jays are to play at Miami.

"The suspension of Manoah had been scheduled to begin tonight. However, Manoah has elected to appeal. Thus, the discipline will be held in abeyance until the process is complete."