Bundy gets another chance to shake slump

The curious case of Dylan Bundy gets reexamined today as he readies for his latest start to close out the four-game series against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

Bundy went 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 0.988 WHIP in four June starts. Opponents batted .186/.255/.289. He surrendered only two home runs compared to 13 in his six May outings. Bundy found his stride and built his case for being the staff ace.

And then July and August happened.

Bundy has lost five of six decisions and allowed 40 earned runs (43 total) in 39 2/3 innings for a 9.08 ERA. He's surrendered 59 hits and walked 12 batters. Fifteen more home runs raised his total to 33, tops in the majors and two short of the club record shared by four pitchers, most recently Jeremy Guthrie in 2009.

The last three starts have seen Bundy allow seven earned runs in each game with a combined 29 hits over 14 1/3 innings.

If health isn't an issue, as Bundy insists, it's purely coincidence that his production fell dramatically after he sprained his ankle while rounding third base in a June 23 game in Atlanta.

The Orioles are working with Bundy to figure out why his command is lacking and his velocity is down, his fastball often clocked in the 89-91 mph range. Bundy has worked through slumps in the past via his bullpen sessions and by watching video. The four days between starts are crucial.

"Dylan can stone-face you a little bit, but every once in a while I think during this stretch, you see it bubble over a little bit, his frustration," said manager Buck Showalter. "But he's a very competitive guy. I try to remember he's only 25 and as much success as he's had pitching in his life, this is a little uncharted for him.

"You do keep an eye out, but I was in the dugout talking with him and everything. What you look for is, is he looking forward to his next outing? I think he is. He's looking forward to the opportunity. He'll have his work cut out for him, but he's not backing off the competition, that's for sure."

Left-handers are hitting .321 against Bundy this season and right-handers are batting .220. The Yankees' lineup tends to lean heavily to the right.

"We've talked a lot about right-handed lineups," Showalter said. "It's about as right-handed as you'll ever see the Yankees, and baseball in general."

Bundy's only start against the Yankees this season didn't go well, with five runs, five hits and four walks in four innings. He's 2-4 with a 6.03 ERA and 1.660 WHIP in eight career games (six starts) against them.

Brett Gardner is 6-for-17 with two doubles.

Right-hander Luis Severino is 16-6 with a 3.28 ERA and 1.142 WHIP in 26 starts, his win total tied for the major league lead before yesterday. He hasn't started against the Orioles this season, but is 4-1 with a 3.33 ERA and 0.957 WHIP in nine career games (seven starts) against them.

Trey Mancini is 5-for-9 against Severino. Chris Davis is 3-for-18 with a home run and nine strikeouts.

Mark Trumbo is 4-for-15 with a double and two home runs, but he remains on the disabled list while awaiting Wednesday's appointment in Northern California. Trumbo is expected to undergo surgery on his right knee, but he's seeking another opinion.