Today's pitchers: Bergesen vs. Hochevar

RHP Brad Bergesen (6-5, 3.56) today makes his 19th start of the year, his 11th at home and the 1st of his career vs. the KC Royals. Bergesen, who has just one win over his last five starts, last worked on Friday at Boston. He gave up nine hits and three runs over six innings vs. the Sox. Bergesen has been outstanding at home this year, going 6-1, 2.82 and the team is 8-2 in those ten home starts. The O's are 9-9 in Bergesen's 18 starts on the season. Right-handed batters hit .274 vs. Bergesen and lefties bat .258. He has allowed just three runs all year in the first inning and a batting average against of only .182 in the first frame. Over his last 11 starts, Bergesen is 5-3, 2.57. Bergesen has a team-leading 12 quality starts. He has recorded six in a row and 10 over his last 11 starts. RHP Luke Hochevar (6-3, 4.84) today makes his 12th start of the year, his 5th on the road and his 2nd this season vs. Baltimore. Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, has not suffered a loss since June 18 vs. Arizona. In his start last Saturday vs. Texas, Hochevar fanned 13 batters over seven innings. That's just one off the club single-game record. He has 22 strikeouts in 13 frames over his last two starts. In four July starts, the 25-year-old is 3-0, 4.62. Right-handed batters hit .290 off him and lefties hit only .198. Hochevar has struggled early in his starts at times. Of the 38 runs he has allowed on the season, 30 have come during the first three innings. Hochevar vs. Baltimore: 2009: 0-0, 5.40, one start (3 1/3IP, 3H, 2ER, 3B, 1K) Career: 0-2, 6.61, three starts, (16 1/3IP, 14H)