O's game blog: Dylan Bundy will try to provide rotation needed innings

When right-hander Evan Phillips went two innings in a spot start for the Orioles last night, it was the latest outing where the Orioles starter did not get deep into the game. Right-hander Dylan Bundy (8-14, 5.48 ERA) will try to change that tonight in the second game of a series versus Toronto.

Over the past eight games, O's starters have thrown a total of 25 innings. Five times in that stretch, their starter went two innings or less. That includes when Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Luis Ortiz left starts with various ailments. It also includes a 1 1/3 innings start from Josh Rogers and Phillips' outing last night.

Over their last 11 games, the Orioles have one quality start and it was Bundy's outing last Wednesday versus Oakland. He gave up two runs in six innings that night to reverse his own personal slide in recent outings.

Over his last seven games, counting that start against the Athletics, Bundy has pitched to an ERA of 9.35. In 12 starts since July 6, he is 2-7 with an ERA of 8.25. Bundy has allowed 20 homers in 60 innings in that span and he's allowed 38 this year to lead the majors. His previous career high was 26 last season.b

Bundy has gone 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 10 career games (six starts) against Toronto, holding the Blue Jays to a .236 average with eight walks against 42 strikeouts. Four of his six career starts against the Blue Jays have been quality starts. In three 2018 starts against Toronto, he is 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA and has allowed seven homers in 16 innings.

Tonight will be Bundy's 14th start against a divisional opponent this season and he's gone 2-8 with a 6.35 ERA. It will mark his 35th career start (46th appearance) against an AL East opponent. He owns a career record of 11-17 with a 5.21 ERA against the division, including 10-17 and a 5.45 ERA with 14 quality starts in his 34 starts.

As for the O's rotation, it has produced just three quality starts over the past 20 games with an ERA of 6.36 in that span. The rotation ERA for the year is 5.52 to rank last in the majors with Texas next at 5.40.

The Orioles (43-107) have tied their club record for losses in a season and the next one obviously sets a new mark. Baltimore has lost three of four, nine of 11 and 21 of the last 27 games. The Orioles were shutout for the 15th time last night and third time in the last six games.

Right-hander Aaron Sanchez (4-6, 4.90 ERA) will make his 20th start tonight. He pitched a gem in his last one, allowing one run in seven innings versus Boston. He took a 1-0 loss with the game's only run scoring on a wild pitch. In two starts this year against Baltimore he is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA allowing three runs in 14 1/3 innings.

Toronto (68-82) has won three straight and is 13-4 against the Orioles. The Blue Jays have out-homered the Birds 34-18 in the season series.

In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) moving their national headquarters to Baltimore, the Orioles will host National Federation of the Blind Night at Oriole Park tonight. Orioles players and coaches will wear specially-designed jerseys with Braille lettering of both "Orioles" and player last names, becoming the first team in American professional sports history to incorporate Braille lettering into their gameday uniforms. The jerseys will be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned at www.orioles.com/auctions to benefit the National Federation of the Blind.

The first 15,000 fans in attendance tonight will receive a co-branded @NFB_voice / #Orioles Braille alphabet card, which will be distributed by volunteers from the NFB. #Birdland pic.twitter.com/6kCPyoB13m

-- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 18, 2018

Merle Caples, 95, is a WWII Veteran & was one of the 1st female Marines. She has rooted for the O's since 1960 when she & her husband moved to MD. Merle is now blind & listens to the game on the radio every night. Pregame she spent time w/her favorites: Buck Showalter & Joe Angel pic.twitter.com/1LMqdGt2uU

-- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 18, 2018