Hyun Soo Kim on getting few starts and his first hit against a left-hander

Between the Orioles taking a look at Trey Mancini for a few games in left field and the club facing a pretty steady diet of left-handed starters, outfielder Hyun Soo Kim has started just 35 percent of the team's games.

That should change some, beginning tonight. The Orioles face Tampa Bay right-hander Chris Archer and the Rays have three right-handers scheduled to start in this series at Camden Yards.

Kim has made six starts on the season, all in left field, and the Orioles have gone 5-1 in those games. He's batting .261 (6-for-23) with two doubles and an RBI. Ten Orioles have more plate appearances than Kim with 24.

He's doing his best to stay ready.

"Similar to last year," Kim said this afternoon through translator Derrick Chung. "Just trying to work hard, stay in shape and stay ready. Hitting off the machine a lot and putting in a lot of work to be better every day. I was through it last year, so I'm familiar with it. Whatever I can do to help the team. Last season (not starting every night) definitely helped a lot. It helped me to understand to be better prepared for something like this."

Kim has started just once over the last seven games. But he's there tonight, batting seventh and in left field against Archer (2-0, 3.20 ERA). He went 1-for-3 with a single in 2016 against him.

"He's definitely a great pitcher with great off-speed and a strong fastball," Kim said. "But I faced him last year and I think whatever I can do to help the team win, that is all I'm focused on."

Kim has had so few chances to face left-handed pitching at the major league level, but one presented itself in the ninth inning yesterday. And he got his first big league hit off a southpaw, with an infield RBI single against Boston's Fernando Abad. It came in his 23rd career plate appearance off a lefty and Kim is now 1-for-18 (.056) against lefties. Yesterday's hit, with his team down 6-1 at the time, provided him nothing to boast about he said.

"It is a small sample size and it wasn't like it was a big hit," Kim said. "I think there is still a lot more that I need to prove - to me and everyone else. Just keep working at it."

Kim said he's aware that a lot of Orioles fans are supportive of him and have been rooting for him to get more starts.

"That is definitely a good thing and I love it. I love it," he said.