Today's pitchers: Hernandez vs. Porcello

RHP David Hernandez (3-3, 3.28) today makes his 9th start of this season, his 6th on the road and his 2nd of the year vs. Detroit. Hernandez won his Major League debut in Baltimore on May 28 vs. the Tigers. That night, he allowed five hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings. Hernandez took a loss last Saturday vs. Boston, allowing two runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 4-0. In his two previous starts, at New York and Boston, Hernandez pitched to an ERA of 1.38, giving up just two runs over 13 innings at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Over his last five starts, the right-hander is 2-1, 2.70 with wins over the Angels and Red Sox. Hernandez has recorded four quality starts and has thrown over 100 pitches six straight starts. In five road starts, he is 2-1, 3.21. The Orioles are 4-4 in his eight starts in 2009. RHP Rick Porcello (9-7, 4.36) today will make his 20th start of the year, his 10th at home and the 1st of his career vs. the Orioles. The 20-year-old rookie pitched well in his last outing vs. Cleveland on Saturday. He allowed four hits and one run over eight innings. Porcello had been 1-3, 9.16 over his previous four starts. Porcello was the AL rookie of the month for May, when he went 5-0, 1.50. He has not pitched as well recently and went 1-2, 8.79 in three July starts. Right-handed batters hit .250 him and lefties bat .300 vs. Porcello. The Tigers are 12-7 when he starts. Porcello, 2009 season: Pre All-Star game: 8-6, 4.14 in 16 starts Post All-Star game: 1-1, 5.40 in 3 starts Porcello was drafted in round one, 27th overall in 2007. He has a 2.43 ratio of ground ball outs to fly outs. In nine home starts, he is 4-3, 5.13.