Baltimore @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 13, 2013 ) Baltimore 5, NY Yankees 3

The Baltimore Orioles rebounded nicely from an embarrassing loss in the series opener Friday by hitting a trio of homers and getting solid pitching in a win Saturday. The Orioles will be looking to clinch the series when they finish up a three-game set against the host New York Yankees on Sunday night. The Yankees continue to get better-than-expected offensive production, but have had to fight through some starting pitching issues.

Sunday’s starter, Hiroki Kuroda, will be trying to make it through the sixth inning for the first time this season to save a bullpen that had to cover 18 outs after Phil Hughes was ineffective Saturday. The first order of business is retiring Adam Jones, who had two more hits and an RBI on Saturday to raise his average to .426. Jones’ error in center field Friday allowed New York to score the go-ahead runs, but the budding star put that behind him early the following afternoon. Baltimore has won three of its last four and is attempting to win its third series out of four this season.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (0-1, 3.75 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (1-1, 6.75)

Chen exited with the lead in his first start but did not factor into the decision after the bullpen faltered. The offense kept him from notching his first win Monday when he allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings at Boston. The Taiwanese left-hander made five starts against the Yankees - including the playoffs - in 2012, going 2-2 with a 4.45 ERA.

Kuroda was scheduled to go Saturday but was shuffled back a day when Andy Pettitte had to be scratched and Hughes was added to the weekend rotation. Kuroda lasted only 1 1/3 innings after getting hit with a comebacker on the hand in his first start and was not quite as sharp as usual the next time, issuing four walks in 5 1/3 innings at Cleveland on Monday. Kuroda surrendered two runs over 8 1/3 innings in a playoff start against the Orioles last October.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees SS Eduardo Nunez (wrist) was unavailable for anything other than pinch running Saturday, leading to a situation where Robinson Cano was playing shortstop with Francisco Cervelli at second base in the ninth inning. Nunez is day-to-day.

2. Baltimore closer Jim Johnson has notched five saves in as many opportunities and has yet to allow an earned run.

3. Pettitte is expected to rejoin New York’s rotation Tuesday or Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Orioles 2