O's game blog: Dylan Bundy tries to slow hot Texas bats

ARLINGTON, Texas - After allowing 28 runs on 28 hits with six homers the last two nights, the Orioles turn to right-hander Dylan Bundy (7-9, 4.53 ERA) tonight. He'll try to restore some order to their pitching in this series.

The Texas Rangers (48-63) have beaten the Orioles 17-8 and 11-3 the last two nights, outscoring them 21-1 in the first four innings of those games.

O's starters Andrew Cashner and David Hess pitched a combined five innings, allowing 12 hits and 17 runs (15 earned) and they gave up three homers. The O's bullpen has allowed 11 runs in 11 innings in the series.

Bundy threw well on July 29 versus Tampa Bay as he gave up four hits and three runs over seven innings. But in his three previous starts, he permitted 15 earned runs on 19 hits over 12 1/3 innings. Bundy has 11 quality starts and the Orioles are 8-12 in his outings.bub

Bundy has allowed six homers his last two starts and 26 on the year, that is tied for the major league lead. He's given up two or more in a game eight times and three or more five times.

Tonight he tries to slow down this hot-hitting Texas team which has won six of its last seven games. Elvis Andrus has a 14-game hitting streak. In this series, second baseman Rougned Odor is 3-for-6 with two homers, including a grand slam and seven RBIs along with five runs and five walks. Over his past six games he's 10-for-24 with two doubles, five homers and 10 RBIs. Odor is hitting .404 since the All-Star break. Joey Gallo has homered twice in this series. Over his past 25 games, he has 10 homers and 21 RBIs.

Over the last eight games, Texas batters are hitting .299/.366/.547 with 16 homers, 65 runs and a .913 OPS.

On the mound for the Rangers will be lefty Mike Minor (7-6, 4.73 ERA), making his 21st start. In four June starts he went 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, but he was 1-2 with a 5.04 ERA in five outings in July.

Minor faced the Orioles July 15 at Camden Yards. Over 2 2/3, he gave up four hits and six runs (five earned) on 68 pitches. In 11 home starts he is 4-2 with a 3.55 ERA. The Rangers are 9-11 when he pitches in 2018.

The Orioles (33-77) had won four of five before this series began. They are 13-42 on the road, losing 12 of the last 13 away from Baltimore.

Mark Trumbo, who homered on Thursday night, now has 998 career hits. When he gets to 1,000, he'll become the 31st active player with at least 1,000 hits and 200 homers. Adam Jones has hit safely in 11 of his past 12 games, batting .370 (17-for-46).