O's game blog: Jimenez on the mound in series finale against Houston

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

May 27, 2015, 8:41am

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The Orioles latest chance to get their offense going comes this afternoon when they host Houston in the finale of a three-game series.

The Orioles were held to one run and five hits in Tuesday's 4-1 loss, and they've scored two runs or less in eight of their last 15 games. They have scored just seven runs over the last 40 innings.

The O's team batting average, which was .286 on April 29, has dropped to .255.

When they play the third game of a series this year where the teams have split the first two games, the Orioles are 5-2, including a 4-1 mark at home.

Houston is in first place in the American League West at 30-17 with a 6 1/2-game lead. The Astros have won 10 of their last 14 games and are 15-7 on the road, 11-5 in one-run games and 26-1 when they score four or more runs.

jimenez-pitching-white-sidebar (1).png O's right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (3-3, 2.82 ERA) gets the start today against right-hander Collin McHugh (5-2, 4.06 ERA).

Jimenez pitched to a 1.59 ERA in his first four starts and is 1-2 with an ERA of 4.09 over his last four. He went just four innings Friday at Miami before he was pinch-hit for. He gave up seven hits and three runs. In 44 2/3 innings, he has walked 13, fanned 42 and has a batting average against of .223.

McHugh has pitched seven or more innings in four of his past five outings. In five starts in May, he is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA. Left-handed batters hit .242 against McHugh, while right-handed batters hit .294.