O's game blog: Orioles look for another AL East series win

The Orioles have had solid success this season playing within the American League East. In fact, they have not lost an AL East road series this year and they'd like to keep that record intact tonight. The Orioles have won six and tied one road series in the division in 2014. They have lost just three AL East series overall on the year, going 8-3-2 and they have lost just one of their last 11 series, going 8-1-2. That was when they went 1-3 at home against Tampa Bay at the end of June. The Orioles went 2-1 in their only previous series this year at Rogers Centre and a win tonight would give them another series victory north of the border. On the mound, Miguel Gonzalez (5-6, 3.93 ERA) faces left-hander J.A. Happ (8-5, 4.25 ERA). Gonzalez gave up four runs over five innings in his last start against Seattle. But his ERA is 2.60 over his last five starts. Gonzalez's home run rate has increased each season. He gave up 1.1 homers per every nine innings in 2012, 1.3 last year and allows 1.6 this season. In nine games, eight career starts against Toronto, he is 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA. He has given up just a .201 batting average and 0.98 WHIP against the Blue Jays. In two games this season against the Orioles, Happ has given up nine hits and two runs over 8 2/3. In five career games, he is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA against the Orioles. Nelson Cruz is 2-for-35 over his last 10 games. Manny Machado went hitless last night to end a five-game hitting streak during which he went 9-for-22. Nick Markakis was 10-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak before he went hitless last night. In the minors, with a home run and two RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Christian Walker extended his organizational lead in both categories. The 24-year-old leads O's farmhands with 23 home runs and 89 RBIs, totals that also rank among overall minor league leaders (his 89 RBIs are seventh, while his 23 homers are tied for 12th). Walker has hit .286 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 19 games since being promoted from Double-A Bowie on July 17. The Orioles' top draft pick this year, third-round selection Brian Gonzalez is off to a very good start. The 18-year-old left-hander is pitching in the Gulf Coast League and has not allowed an earned run. In six games over 15 2/3 innings he has allowed eight hits and one unearned run with five walks, 17 strikeouts and a .148 batting average against. In his most recent outing he pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings Tuesday.