Matt Wieters is trying to hit his way out of a slump

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

May 27, 2012, 10:50am

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Matt Wieters' name was not in the original lineup that was posted today, but he was later added. We haven't heard yet exactly what changed that, but Wieters is out there for today's game with Kansas City. Backup catcher Ronny Paulino told reporters he was not hurt, so Wieters playing had nothing to do with Paulino or his status apparently. Right now, maybe Wieters just wants to get out there, realizing you can't get any hits on the bench. He is mired in quite a slump coming into today's game. Wieters is just 1-for-28 (.036) over his last eight games and is just 5-for-52 (.096) over his past 15 games, as his average has dropped from .300 to .230. Wieters does have one hit today, a solid single to center in the third after he was hit by a pitch in the first. So, he has reached base in two of two plate appearances this afternoon against the Royals. Maybe that hit will get Wieters' bat going again. He hit .279 with six homers, 15 RBIs and a .937 OPS in April, but in May, Wieters is batting .190 with two homers, seven RBIs and an OPS of .626. After batting .321 last year when hitting with runners in scoring position, Wieters is batting just .125 (4-for-32) this year with RISP.