O's game blog: Orioles look to break nine-game losing streak against Mets

The Orioles look to finally get some offense going against New York Mets pitching tonight as they conclude this brief two-game series at Camden Yards. In three games against New York in 2015, the Orioles have scored just six runs on 23 hits with a double and three homers. They are 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position.

The Orioles are looking to break a nine-game losing streak to the Mets. Their last win was June 18, 2009. The Mets lead the all-time series 22-9. The last time the Mets won nine in a row against a single opponent was versus Milwaukee from May 20, 1999 to June 16, 2000.

On the mound tonight, Ubaldo Jimenez (9-7, 3.92 ERA) faces right-hander Noah Syndergaard (7-6, 3.07 ERA).

Despite pitching eight scoreless innings against the Angels two starts ago, Jimenez is 2-3 with a 7.39 ERA in six second-half starts. Over 31 2/3 innings, he has allowed 36 hits, seven homers and a .279 batting average. He has pitched five innings or less five times in that stretch. Jimenez ranks 12th in the American League and first among O's starters averaging 8.38 strikeouts per nine innings.

Syndergaard has given up 12 hits and eight runs in 11 innings his past two starts. But in the seven starts preceding that, he had an ERA of 1.44 allowing one earned run or less five times. Syndergaard has very strange home and road splits. At home, he is 7-1 with a 1.82 ERA in nine starts. On the road, he is 0-5 with a 5.01 ERA in eight starts and the Mets are 1-7 in those games. He has never faced the Orioles.

The Mets starting pitchers have allowed two or fewer runs in 17 of their past 22 games, pitching to an ERA of 2.32 in that span since July 25. Overall, Mets starting pitchers rank fourth in MLB in ERA at 3.23.

The Mets are 64-55 overall, 11-5 in August and have won 15 of their past 22 games. They lead the NL East by 4 1/2 games over the Nationals.

The Orioles are 61-57 overall and 36-21 at home. Since June 3, when the Orioles were a season-worst six games under .500, they are 38-28 (.576). The Orioles are 15-8 their last 23 games. They trail first-place New York by 5 1/2 games in the AL East after the Yankees again beat Minnesota today. The Orioles are a half-game behind the Angels for the second AL wild card. Los Angeles hosts the Chicago White Sox tonight at 10:05 p.m.