O's game blog: Orioles have gotten some clutch pitching in 7-0 start

Clutch pitching has been a big part of the Orioles' 7-0 start. The Orioles are second in the majors in batting average against with runners in scoring position.

When their opponents have hit with RISP, they are batting just .140 (7-for-50) with 16 strikeouts. In the opening series, Twins hitters went just 2-for-21 (.095). Tampa Bay then went 2-for-10 (.200) over two games. Boston batters are 3-for-19 (.158) in the current series.

MLB leaders, RISP average against:
.129 - Cincinnati
.140 - Baltimore
.157 - Kansas City
.193 - Miami
.205 - Tampa Bay

On offense, the Orioles have done well also, batting .309 with RISP to rank fifth in the majors and second in the American League. Miami leads the majors, batting .379 with RISP, while New York leads the AL at .340.

On the mound tonight as the Orioles go for the sweep, right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (1-0, 1.29 ERA) pitches against Boston right-hander Joe Kelly (0-0, 21.00 ERA).

Jimenez produced the only quality start by an O's starter when he went seven innings, allowing eight hits and two runs (one earned) on Thursday against Minnesota. He did not walk a batter and struck out nine. Last year, he went seven innings or more in just 11 of 32 starts. He did not walk a batter in just five of those starts.

Jimenez went 1-1 with a 3.92 ERA last year in four starts versus Boston. In 11 career starts against the Red Sox, he is 2-4 with a 7.26 ERA.

Kelly gave up seven hits and seven runs in just three innings on Friday against Toronto. Blue Jays batters went 7-for-15 against him. But he did not take a loss that game and enters this start with a eight-game win streak over his past 10 starts dating to Aug. 1 that matches his career high.

In three 2015 starts against the Orioles, Kelly went 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA and 1.886 WHIP. In five career starts, he is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA.

Where the O's rank among AL teams:
Batting average: second at .293
Runs: tied for first with 40
Homers: tie for first with 13
OBP: second at .355
Slugging: first at .522
OPS: first at .877
ERA: third at 2.86
Strikeouts: tied for fifth at 66
Starters' ERA: tied for ninth at 3.74
Bullpen ERA: second at 1.84