O's game blog: Vance Worley on the mound as O's go for sweep

The Orioles last swept a three-game series at home against the Cleveland Indians from June 26-28, 2015. It was just last year, so they try for two in two years if they win today over the Tribe at Camden Yards.

The Orioles have posted wins by 5-1 and 5-2 over Cleveland the last two nights. They have held the Indians to three runs on 15 hits in this series. Cleveland began the series averaging 5.02 runs per game this year to rank second in the American League and fifth in MLB.

The Orioles have won eight of their last nine games against Cleveland. They went 5-1 in the season series last year and lead it 4-1 this season with one game to go. So the Orioles have clinched the season series, which could be important later as it is a tiebreaker for postseason seeding.

On the mound this afternoon, right-hander Vance Worley (2-1, 3.16 ERA) faces right-hander Corey Kluber (9-8, 3.42) who was the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game.

In his last start on Tuesday at New York, Worley went 4 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and three runs. In his three starts this year he is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA. In his 18 relief appearances Worley is 1-0 with a 2.23 ERA. He faced Cleveland in relief on May 28. He went 4 1/3 innings on 60 pitches, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned).

Over his past two starts, Kluber has allowed 10 hits and one run over 15 innings. He has given up two earned runs or fewer in six of his past eight starts.

In 19 starts this season he has thrown 129 innings allowing 102 hits with 30 walks, 130 strikeouts and a .216 batting average against. He has pitched three complete games and two shutouts. In four career games against Baltimore, Kluber is 1-1 with a 3.42 ERA. He last faced the Orioles June 26, 2015 and went seven innings, giving up seven hits and three runs.

Farm notes: Single-A Delmarva catcher Yermin Mercedes hit three home runs last night. He ranks second in the league with a .354 batting average and tied for fourth with 14 home runs in the South Atlantic League.

Triple-A Norfolk's Christian Walker has hit safely in 17 of his last 19 games, batting .365/.427/.554 with three doubles, a triple, three home runs and 10 RBIs. The Tides Trey Mancini has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, batting .381/.422/.548 with a double, three triples and 10 RBIs in that span.

Bowie catcher Chance Sisco went 3-for-5 with a walk Saturday and is batting .375/.470/.482 including six multi-hit efforts, in 15 games during July.