Triple-A rotation needs to turn around a rough start

The Orioles and Rays didn't let the weather stop them last night. Cold and rainy conditions are just part of the gig.

The affiliates didn't have it so good - if we've lowered our standards to the point where last night's weather is acceptable. Triple-A Norfolk, Single-A Frederick and Single-A Delmarva were rained out. Double-A Bowie was in Richmond and gave up two runs in the ninth, stranded 14 runners and lost 2-1.

Norfolk left-hander Chris Lee is starting today against Buffalo. He's 0-1 with a 9.28 ERA and 2.53 WHIP in three starts covering 10 2/3 innings, and he's walked eight batters.

Reliever Zach Stewart has been thrust into the Norfolk rotation, with Jayson Aquino and Alec Asher in Baltimore. He's 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in 10 1/3 innings heading into his scheduled start in today's doubleheader.

Mike Wright, who starts Thursday, is 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in four starts over 17 2/3 innings. Gabriel Ynoa, who starts Friday against Syracuse, is 0-4 with an 8.22 ERA and 2.22 WHIP in four starts over 15 1/3 innings. He's allowed 29 hits.

In Tyler Wilson's first start after being optioned, he surrendered four runs and six hits and walked two batters in three innings in Syracuse.

"I was hoping for a little better start from them," said manager Buck Showalter, who receives nightly reports from Norfolk manager Ron Johnson and pitching coach Mike Griffin. "I know R.J. and Griff were. But they're finding their way along and you can see some positives there."

Lee had a chance to make the club out of spring training, though he was a longshot after appearing in only eight games at Bowie in 2016 due to a lat injury. He's had one good outing at Norfolk, when he held Gwinnett to one earned run and struck out five batters in five innings. He also allowed five hits and walked three batters, so it was good by comparison.

In his last start, Lee allowed two earned runs and five hits, walked three batters and struck out three in 2 1/3 innings in Buffalo. He gave up eight runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings in his debut in Charlotte.

"I felt like he was a guy we wanted to leave alone and kind of let get going," Showalter said. "That's a big jump for him in levels. He hadn't pitched that much in Double-A last year."

Dylan Bundy is 4-for-4 in quality start attempts, with only four runs allowed in 26 1/3 innings for a 1.37 ERA, and he's on the mound tonight for the series finale against Tampa Bay. He's walked only four batters and struck out 20.

Jinx alert: Bundy still hasn't allowed a home run this month.

Bundy is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA and 1.900 WHIP in three career games (two starts) against the Rays, with nine runs and 14 hits allowed in 10 innings. He's walked five, struck out 15 and surrendered five home runs.

Bundy made his first major league start against the Rays on July 17, 2016 at Tropicana Field. He allowed four runs and five hits, including three home runs, in 3 1/3 innings.

It's going much more smoothly this season.

Kevin Kiermaier, Evan Longoria and Brad Miller are 2-for-5 with a home run against Bundy.

Alex Cobb is 1-2 with a 4.88 ERA in four starts this month, with 14 runs (13 earned) and 30 hits in 24 innings. He's walked four, struck out 18 and surrendered five home runs.

Left-handers and right-handers are batting .245 against Cobb during his career. Nice splits. But lefties are hitting .324 against him in his first four starts. Right-handers are hitting .290.

The Orioles haven't had much luck against Cobb. He's 4-1 with a 1.84 ERA in eight career starts, and 2-0 with a 3.66 ERA in four starts at Camden Yards.

J.J. Hardy is 6-for-19 against Cobb, and Mark Trumbo is 4-for-10 with two doubles. Chris Davis is 2-for-16 with a triple. Manny Machado is 1-for-15 with a home run.

The Orioles' bullpen has allowed one run in its last 19 2/3 innings. Darren O'Day tossed 1 2/3 scoreless last night and hasn't surrendered a run in his last five appearances.

"Darren's been good for a while," Showalter said. "With Zach (Britton) being out, we've had to maneuver around, try not to extend too many guys too much. But Darren had a couple days off, only a third of an inning, so we were able to extend him. He should be OK (tonight)."