Tonight's starters: Hernandez vs. Shields

RHP David Hernandez (4-9, 5.20) tonight makes his 19th start of this season, his 10th on the road and the 2nd of this year vs. Tampa. Even though he is winless over his last eight starts, Hernandez has pitched better in his last two starts, going 0-1, 3.75 vs. Boston and Cleveland. His last win was August 11th vs. Oakland. Hernandez has recorded eight quality starts on the season. Hernandez, 2009 season: First 10 starts: 4-4, 3.81 Last 8 starts: 0-5, 7.34 The Orioles are 5-13 when Hernandez starts, losing his last eight. In nine road starts, the right hander is 2-5, 5.11. Hernandez has given up 11 homers over 22 2/3 innings in his last five starts. He has allowed least one homer in 11 straight starts, giving up 21 in that span. Hernandez, 2009 homers allowed: *Four in his first seven starts *21 over the last 11 starts In his only previous outing vs. Tampa, Hernandez took the loss on September 14th. He lasted just three innings and gave up nine hits and five runs, throwing 80 pitches. RHP James Shields (10-12, 4.17) tonight is set to make his 33rd start of the year, his 18th at home and the 15th of his career vs. Baltimore. Shields has pitched 211 2/3 innings, that is 6th in the AL. He is second in the AL in hits allowed (233) and third in homers allowed (28). In four September starts, Shields is 1-2, 6.40. Shields, 2009 season: First half: 6-6, 3.42 in 19 starts Second half: 4-6, 5.33 in 13 starts The Rays are 14-18 when he starts and Shields is 5-6, 3.78 in 17 home starts. Shields vs. Baltimore: 2009: 1-1, 0.71, 2 starts (12 2/3IP, 10H, 4R, 1ER) Career: 5-2, 2.89, 14 starts (96 2/3IP, 93H, 24B, 62K) O's hitters, career vs. Shields: Andino: 1-3 Aubrey: 0-3 Izturis: 0-3, rbi Markakis: 13-41/1/3 Moeller: 0-5 Montanez: 1-3, HR, 2 rbi Mora: 7-30/1/4 Pie: 1-5 Roberts: 12-42/0/2 Scott: 5-19, 2 rbi Wigginton: 1-2