Baltimore @ Tampa Bay preview
Tropicana Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) Baltimore 7, Tampa Bay 8
The pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona appeared on the fast track to stardom when he went 19-8 for the Cleveland Indians in 2007. Six years later, with a new club and revised identity, Roberto Hernandez attempts to resurrect his career with the Tampa Bay Rays when he takes the mound for Thursday's series finale against the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays evened the series on Matt Joyce's walk-off homer Wednesday night.
Baltimore has no complaints about its offense after putting up seven runs in each of the first two games. Chris Davis has already cranked a pair of three-run homers and went 4-for-4 with four RBIs Wednesday. Davis ended last year with a homer binge, going deep seven times in his last seven regular-season games. Brian Roberts, limited to 56 games the past two seasons, is off to a strong start with a pair of two-hit games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (2012: 9-4, 3.25 ERA) vs. Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 7.53)
Gonzalez did not make his first start until July in 2012, but he went on to have a stellar rookie campaign. He closed the regular season by winning his last three starts, including a 1-0 victory at Tampa Bay in which he allowed only two hits and struck out seven. Gonzalez made four starts against the Rays, getting rocked the first time he faced them before responding with three strong outings. He's tossed 13 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only four hits, at Tropicana Field.
Hernandez was arrested in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges in January 2012, which led to him making only three starts in August last year with Cleveland. He also struggled in 2011 with the Indians, going 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA while surrendering a career-high 22 home runs. Hernandez has been in a spiral over the past four seasons, posting a 25-44 record. He is 4-4 with a 5.50 ERA in 10 appearances - eight starts - versus the Orioles.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rays closer Fernando Rodney earned the win Wednesday after blowing the save. He did not allow a run in his last 19 appearances last year.
2. The Orioles have scored 12 of their 14 runs in the series with two outs.
3. Davis has four homers and 10 RBIs in his last five games at Tropicana Field.
PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Rays 3